Secrets To Aging Gracefully

Wisdom, resilience, and a well-rounded and mature perspective on life are often credited as the hard-earned rewards of aging, and growing old itself is an accomplishment not everyone is able to achieve. Looking and feeling good past the age of fifty requires a fine-tuned combination of aging gracefully and defying the very laws of time. As we age, the more it seems time is catching up with us, and signs such as sun damaged, over-processed hair or the effects of smoking begin to appear. But it does not have to be this way. Discover the secrets of aging with grace and dignity that goes beyond resetting the hands of time, but also resetting your mindset as well.

Accepting Change

One of the first things an individual must do as they get older is to accept the changes they will have to make to their lifestyle and looks and embrace these changes for the better. Accepting these life changes is a significant key to psychological health, as aging changes everyone and is inevitable. For instance, individuals need to realize they will be more tired, have less energy, and probably do things more slowly than before, which is okay. Seniors who think rigidly do not do this, as they experience the natural changes and their health status associated with aging, they view these changes as negative, which adds a tremendous amount of stress and strain to their life.

Rigid thinking individuals tend to become overwhelmed, cannot manage these changes in a healthy manner, and therefore become depressed. Individuals who anticipate these life changes and adopt a 'yes I know this is coming and I know I can manage it' attitude tend to have a more positive and healthier mindset, experience fewer signs of depression, and continue to embrace and enjoy their golden years. Ultimately, attitude is the primary secret to aging gracefully.

Next, reveal how staying active plays a major role in not only looking younger but feeling younger as well.

Think Creatively To Stay Active

As science has proven, staying active, especially well into the golden years, not only helps an individual look younger, but also keeps them healthy and helps their body function properly. Staying active helps to jump-start the metabolism, which can be achieved by being physically active for at least twenty to thirty minutes a day. Get creative with staying active! Seniors are not just limited to morning walks around the mall, but can also try hiking, rock climbing, running, riding a bike, playing an engaging sport, weight lifting, a class at the gym, yoga, swimming, and even dancing.

Not only does engaging in creative physical activity improve one’s mood and overall health, but it also provides individuals with an opportunity to make new friends and find a sense of community, especially if they are lonesome and not all of their loved ones are there for the ride. Always consult a doctor before beginning a new physical activity and listen to your body. Do not overexert yourself and remember to have fun while doing it!

Continue reading to reveal how a healthy and balanced diet is key to aging gracefully.

Diet Is Key

One cannot underestimate the power of a good, well-balanced diet and how important good nutrition is as the foundation for healthy living from energy levels to appearance. Eating healthy is incredibly beneficial and the best thing an individual can do for themselves. Start each day with lots of color on the plate, and try to incorporate as many fruits, whole grains, vegetables, and lean meats as possible, as the right nutrients are the key to staying fit and healthy. Try incorporating dark leafy greens, reds, oranges, and anything with color, and avoid anything white or processed as much as possible. Numerous fruits and vegetables are fantastic for iron, vitamins, antioxidants, and calcium, essential nutrients to ensure an individual is getting as they age, such as kale, spinach, blueberries, beets, oranges, and peppers. To find out the amazing benefits of superfoods, check out Affordable Superfoods That Provide Significant Long Term Health Benefits.

Keep reading to learn how our furry companions can be incredibly beneficial to our overall physical and mental health in our golden years.

Furry Companions Make All The Difference

Besides having a furry best friend who provides unconditional love and companionship, dogs, cats, rabbits, or any other animal an individual has as a pet can magnificently improve their overall health. At one time or another, we have all experienced difficulty staying motivated to stick to a consistent fitness routine. However, pets, especially dogs, can be a great source of motivation and keep older individuals constantly engaged and active. For instance, dogs can help get their owners out of the house more often and can begin the day with a run or walk around the block or on outdoor trails. Let’s not forget about the cats! Cats, just like dogs, are fantastic companions and can offer numerous health benefits such as mental stimulation and help with lessening the chance of an older individual developing depression due to loneliness.

Next, discover the importance of engaging the mind and how to keep the brain healthy.

Engage Your Mind

Part of the challenge of aging with grace and dignity is consistently finding things that continue to be meaningful and engaging. These meaningful activities can include traveling around the world, spiritual pursuits, hobbies such as reading or painting, new social groups, lifelong learning by returning to school, or spending more time with loved ones. Experts suggest planning for purposeful activities before transitioning to retirement, and to embrace this change and follow where their passions lie.

Try to keep the mind active by challenging yourself to learn something new every week or month, or try something you’ve always wanted to. For instance, try volunteering for an organization that piques your interest or take a few classes on a hobby that interests you, such as cooking, or taking a few courses at a local college. Learning should be a lifelong adventure, and actively engaging the mind in a variety of ways will help the brain not only stay sharp and focused, but can help an older individual feel young at heart, and in mind too.

Continue reading to find out some easy beauty tips that any female or male can do to appear younger!

Beauty Tips

Naturally, beauty comes from within, but once in a while, the outside could use a little help. Aging gracefully does not mean you have to look your age, but rather reverse the effects of time on your skin and look great (you already do) with a few easy tips. Applying a skin serum with vitamin C to damp skin in the morning to hydrate your skin is essential, as skin tends to become thinner and lose its elasticity as we age. Therefore, proper hydration is key to retain a healthy glow while reducing the look of wrinkles. Applying a hair mask that contains rich proteins such as keratin, as it will help to reinforce weak areas of the hair and to prevent further damage. Even doing this once a month is helpful. Similar to skin, hair becomes more fragile and damage-prone as we age, therefore protecting it is essential to looking great.

Read more about how to age gracefully now.

Wash Face Daily

Individuals hoping to age gracefully are encouraged to wash their face daily. Washing the face every day will help gently exfoliate, removing dead skin cells that can make people look older. In addition, washing the face removes bacteria and pollutants from the skin, and this can reduce acne, redness, and skin dullness. Experts suggest washing the face in the morning and evening with a gentle cleanser, and some individuals may want to follow this with a toner. After washing the face, the skin should be thoroughly rinsed so no cleanser residue remains, and one should pat the skin dry. Rubbing the skin could create bags and lead to wrinkles over time. It is especially important to wash the face after wearing makeup. Individuals with specific skin concerns may want to invest in a cleanser designed to treat these, and many cleansers are available for those with sensitive skin. A dermatologist can advise patients on the most effective cleansers for specific skin complaints.

Learn more about aging gracefully through skin now.

Wear Sunscreen Daily

Sun damage is a leading cause of fine lines and wrinkles, and individuals can reduce the formation of these if they wear sunscreen daily. Dermatologists recommend choosing a sunscreen that has a sun protection factor of at least thirty, and special formulations are available for use on the face. Sunscreen needs to be worn even if it is cloudy outside, and specialists suggest wearing it regularly in the winter as well. Patients should apply sunscreen before applying any makeup, and it should be applied to the face, neck, ears, and all exposed areas of skin. Generally, most sunscreens need to be reapplied after two hours, and they should be reapplied after sweating or swimming, too. Wearing a hat and opting for clothing with built-in sun protection can help reduce the signs of aging, too. Sunscreen may help protect patients from skin cancer, the risk of which increases with age. Everyone should check their skin for any changes to freckles or moles, and these will need to be examined by a dermatologist.

Read more about the best ways to age gracefully now.

Stay Hydrated

Dehydration can make skin appear dry and dull, and it also causes fatigue and dizziness. Healthcare providers routinely advise their patients to stay hydrated in order to age gracefully. Experts recommend that patients drink at least eight glasses of water each day, and they suggest avoiding alcohol, as it can be drying to the skin. Individuals who dislike still water might enjoy sparkling water or water flavored with fruit or juice; smoothies could appeal to some patients too. In addition to drinking lots of water, individuals can get extra water content in their diets by eating a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables, many of which naturally have a large amount of water. Soups can also count in terms of daily liquid intake. Patients trying to increase their hydration might find it helpful to begin by keeping a journal of their daily liquid intake. Several apps are available for this purpose, and specialty water bottles will automatically record water intake.

Consider the next way of aging gracefully now.

Get Lots Of Sleep

Sleep deprivation is a growing epidemic across the country, and insufficient sleep raises the risk of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular issues, and other chronic illnesses. Inadequate sleep may result in bags under the eyes, and skin could appear dull too. Experts recommend that patients of all ages get lots of sleep in order to have healthy skin and maintain an independent, active lifestyle into old age. Most adults need seven to nine hours of sleep each night, and adults aged sixty-five and above generally need seven to eight hours of sleep. To help make sleep easier, clinicians advise patients to keep their bedroom cool and dark, and the bedroom should only be used for sleeping, not for work activities. It is helpful to turn off electronic devices at least an hour before bedtime, and patients should especially avoid watching television as they try to drift off to sleep. While some individuals may feel alcohol helps them sleep, studies indicate individuals who consume alcohol before bed tend to have more sleep disruptions during the night, and they have a lower overall sleep quality than patients who do not drink alcohol in the evenings. Individuals who struggle with insomnia or other sleeping issues might wish to consider having a sleep study performed. These studies can identify sleep apnea, snoring, and other issues that could be contributing to poor sleep.

Keep reading for more advice on how to age gracefully now.

Reduce Stress

Extreme and chronic stress in daily life could contribute to faster aging and more age-related health issues for some individuals. To reduce stress, psychologists advise patients to engage in relaxing hobbies or other activities they enjoy. For example, watching a favorite television show, reading a new book, practicing yoga, or taking a walk around the neighborhood may all help in stress reduction. Individuals who have particularly high levels of stress or chronic stress might need help from a professional counselor. Counselors can teach patients effective strategies for removing and dealing with stress and the anger, sadness, and other emotions that it may bring. Practicing meditation, doing deep breathing exercises, and spending time with pets could help some patients in reducing their overall stress levels too.

Aging with grace and dignity is nothing to be ashamed of. Remember it’s all about how you feel, not necessarily how you look, that is the secret to staying young at heart!