Feel Younger Than Yesterday With These 4 Tips

Physical Exercise

It’s no secret that regular workouts may make you look and feel younger, but can it actually shave off years? According to research at the Human Performance Laboratory at Ball State University, exercise can improve overall health in several ways. The study involved people in their 70s who have exercised regularly for decades, and determined that some of these seniors had similar cardiovascular health as 40- to 45-year-olds.

Even if it’s a leisurely 30-minute activity that’s suited to your mobility requirements, getting active every day may help slow down the aging process.

Mental Exercise

While physical workouts can do great things for our bodies, a lot of our “youthfulness” comes from the way we think. According to a Harvard Medical School publishing, continual learning is believed to help maintain and stimulate communication among some of our individual brain cells. Even something as simple as a positive attitude can help your mind stay sharp.

So pick up a new challenging hobby. Take that online class you’ve been thinking about. Or even try to tackle a new language. It’s never too late to kick your learning into high gear.

Throw some memory challenges in your daily to-dos, as well. There are plenty of free online resources that not only make this easy, but also fun. Downloading an app like Lumosity to your mobile device is a great way to have brain games handy, and may make it easier to turn this exercise into an everyday habit.

Friends and Interaction

As we age, visiting friends and loved ones may become harder or less frequent. But a study at The University of Texas at Austin shows that older adults who spend more time interacting with a wide range of people may be more likely to be physically active and had a greater emotional well-being. So even if loved ones can’t visit all of the time, there may be a health benefit attached to interacting with lots of different people.

Food and Diet

Staying healthy and hydrated is a good way to look and feel more youthful. Check out some of these other food and drinks that may make a difference:

• Spices - Cinnamon, chili pepper, ginger
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Avocados
• Green Tea
• Tomatoes
• Pomegranates
• Fatty Fish - Salmon, mackerel, albacore tuna, and lake trout
• Dark Chocolate/Cocoa
• Vegetables - Leafy greens, bell peppers, broccoli
• Flaxseeds
• Bone Broth

The aging process is inevitable. But, the good news? Staying healthy may make you feel younger. See how every day is an opportunity to feel young by checking out some of our other health and wellness topics on the Brookdale blog.

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