Whoever said that age is a virtue must not have looked in the mirror after waking up. Aging can be tough, especially as wrinkles and gray hair start appearing and your middle starts widening. These things happen to all of us, and one of the best things you can do is cultivate an attitude of acceptance.
Did you know that high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes are risk factors for dementia? These risks become more severe due to smoking, lack of exercise and high cholesterol. As we age, it becomes increasingly important to control these disorders in order to maintain good mental health as aging progresses.
It is never too late to quit smoking for in order to slow aging. Smoking not only increases the risk of lung cancer and emphysema, it is associated with a number of other cancers, cardiovascular disease, and a decreased resistance to illness. Of course, it also has a terrible effect on skin. By quitting smoking, the aging process can be more comfortable and you can extend your life expectancy.
Surround yourself with wonderful people. If you find that the people that you spend a majority of your time with are grouchy more often than they are happy, consider looking for a new group of friends to hang out with. Happiness is contagious and if you are surrounded by it, you are likely to be joyful as well.
If you want to age gracefully, then you should try to do something you like every day. By doing this, you will get fulfillment out of each and every day because you are doing something that you look forward to, which keeps you motivated to continue and keeps the enjoyment flowing.
As you grow older, many hear the reminders of how important it is to eat healthy everyday; a treat once in a while can bring a smile to your face. Don’t you just love to eat your favorite food? Maybe chocolate chip cookies are your pick? Bake up a batch and enjoy them with a friend or family member. Enjoy the companionship of someone you love with something you enjoy!
Spend time with people from many different generations. This can be with your family, your friend’s families or even at a school assembly. There are many different kinds of events that will allow you to interact with these many generations that you can learn many new and exciting things from.
Prepare for the end. If you take the time to prepare a living will and pre-plan your funeral you will find much peace in the process. Dying is a part of living that cannot be beat and having a plan that is ready for that time is a gift to yourself as well as the rest of your family.
However, for certain people, aging can mean getting wiser, spending quality time with just your favorite friends, and adopting a more relaxed lifestyle; this outlook makes them happier instead of stressful over insignificant things. Have people and things around you in your life that you love so that you can look forward to aging.