Getting Better with Age

We all know the basic tenants of living a healthy life. Eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly, drink water, and get sleep. We’ll get into that in a minute, but first, there’s another factor of health that we need to discuss. Mental and emotional well-being is an essential element to a healthy life that becomes more critical than ever as we age.

Research shows that aging adults are more likely to experience symptoms of depression and loneliness. There are some biological reasons for this, namely decreased levels of folate in the blood. But there are many more environmental factors in play. Aging adults often struggle with the changes in their bodies that limit their abilities. Perhaps you can’t exercise the way you once did or play with your grandchildren the way you’d like to.

When we consider the emotional weight of aging, getting motivated to live a healthy lifestyle isn’t as simple as it sounds. Who, when dealing with a bout of sadness, wants to think about exercise or dieting? If we’re going to age healthily, we must first take care of our emotional and mental health.

But what if we could kill two birds with one stone? Relationships are essential for all human beings. We evolved to live in communities, and when a community doesn’t come easy to us in the form of work colleagues and play dates, we must find a place to belong. Many senior citizens thrive in communities and build relationships over shared interests and values. Churches and community centers are great gathering hubs that often have built-in social activities and volunteer opportunities. Things like this may help older adults feel purposeful and create relationships that bring joy. Local YMCAs and health clubs are havens for adults looking for exercise classes to help kickstart their journey toward a healthier lifestyle.

If you can discover the healthy habits that you enjoy the most, you can find like-minded people to do them with you. Cooking classes, walking groups, golf club memberships, and dance lessons are just some of the fun and healthy ways that adults build community and take care of their physical health at the same time. Find the people in your community who are living the active lifestyle that you admire and join them.

If you’re feeling down or lonely, speak with your doctor. There are plenty of resources available to help you feel like yourself again. Then, when you’re feeling better, you can shift your focus toward developing habits that will strengthen your mind and body. Take care of your mind today, so you’ll have the energy and drive to take care of your body for the rest of your life.

Aging isn’t for the faint of heart. We don’t have to tell you that. But as challenging as it is, you’re tougher. With a robust support system and an eye on your emotional and physical health, the seniors of today are unstoppable.

Adrienne Freeland is a freelance writer who specializes in helping business owners communicate more clearly. Using skills developed in her former career as a professional fundraiser, Adrienne collaborates with her clients to craft engaging, targeted content.