Poon gracefull, play a Natural ways to increase energy role in graceffully health, happiness and longevity. CDC is Aging gracefully tips responsible for Section compliance accessibility on other federal Aging gracefully tips private website. And to preserve Aging gracefully tips illusion, there graecfully no mirrors and no photos, except graceully their younger selves. Called the six pillars of brain healththe recommendations mirror many of the habits mentioned above, such as being social, engaging in regular physical activity, getting enough sleep and eating right. Maintaining social ties is especially important as you transition into retirement, when you no longer have a built-in network of colleagues at your workplace. Mental Health Resources. Page last reviewed: July 18, Content source: National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.

Aging gracefully tips -

They'll sit down together before going grocery shopping and find or sometimes even create a healthy soup with some kind of grain brown rice, whole-wheat pasta, barley , protein lean-cut sausage or chicken , and a whole lot of veggies.

Overall, maintaining a diet with zero to no added or processed sugar she has a heart condition in which she can't consume it regardless ; prioritizing organic, non-processed options; selecting high-quality or plant-based proteins; incorporating some fruit and lots of vegetables; and eating natural sources of prebiotics and probiotics sauerkraut, yogurt, kefir, and a supplement is the ultimate "beauty" diet which has helped my mom feel her absolute best as she's gotten older.

My mom will be the first to tell you she drinks lots and lots of water. My mom is one of those people who are devout sticklers when it comes to believing there's a correlation between healthy skin and water intake.

If you saw her skin, you'd be a believer, too. Alcohol , caffeinated beverages like soda and coffee, and juices—even green ones—aren't her cup of tea.

Lots of water," she says. Plus, over the years, I've realized it's a strong depressant for me, so cutting down has been pretty easy. As far as juices, I know some people believe in them, but since most are saturated with sugar, I steer clear.

But back then we're talking the '60s, people , girls didn't have the opportunity to participate in any sports teams. However, in my early 30s, I became interested in health and wellness and decided I needed to participate in some kind of wellness program.

I started with a dancercise class, which I enjoyed, and then when I got married, my husband was a jogger. The first time I went for a run, I was able to go about a block and then had to stop. I gradually built up to two miles a day, which I continued doing three to four times a week until I retired.

I'd also been reading about the importance of strength training and started alternating strength training exercises with my jogging days.

I noticed such an improvement in how I felt that I began exploring other things I might do to improve my health. As I've gotten older, I've swapped out running for 10,step walks in the morning every other day but have still kept up the strength training.

I try to remain consistent and usually do one or the other roughly five days a week depending on my schedule.

I also collaborated with a work colleague to develop a broader wellness class. The syllabus we created for the class eventually became the basis for a book we co-authored. Essentially, I began facing some of my demons, which felt like a real breakthrough and which has helped me to heal and grow—even as I've gotten older.

My mother was an alcoholic, and I began exploring how that had impacted my behaviors. A wonderful man named Earnie Larsen led seminars for Adult Children of Alcoholics, and my daughters have heard many of his words of wisdom over the years, such as, 'If nothing changes, nothing changes.

Two other books influenced me greatly: Richard Leider's The Power of Purpose and Albert Ellis's book A Guide to Rational Living. After retiring from her job working in television a few years ago, my mom began to focus more on her passion for beauty—something she'd always loved but didn't have the time or capacity to explore.

And of course, she's remained interested and fascinated by health and wellness. She's started a second career as a makeup artist, specifically focusing on helping women 50 and older "to get their glow back.

I get to research and select my guests, read their books, and interview some brilliant women and men on a variety of health and wellness topics—from the importance of feeling gratitude and forgiveness to yoga and stress management.

Ever wonder why some people live to 90 or with grace and joy? Good genes certainly help, but an optimistic spirit and a sense of purpose may matter even more. A review in Applied Psychology: Well Being of published studies confirmed a compelling connection between a positive state of mind and overall health and longevity.

Integrative medicine focuses on this mind-body connection as the cornerstone of total wellness. Integrative physicians believe that your mental state, particularly a sense of purpose, affects lifespan.

In a study in Psychological Science, researchers found that setting goals and taking action to achieve them lead to healthier lifestyle choices and ultimately a longer life.

Poon says. The following seven tips, Dr. Poon believes, play a big role in ensuring health, happiness and longevity. Practice these vitality-boosting habits regularly to help you age gracefully. Learn how to live in the present and how to cultivate daily awareness.

Watch funny movies, read humorous essays, enjoy jokes. Even when life throws you curveballs, take joy seriously, and take yourself lightly. Many of Dr. Yoga can help both. Not only will yoga increase your muscle flexibility, but the mindful approach to movement and breath may also improve your mental outlook.

Meditation comes in many forms, including prayer, gardening, journaling and quilting. Learn to appreciate the good things around you. Brain training and learning new skills can be done at any age and there are many things you can do to keep your memory sharp.

The sooner you start, the sooner you'll reap the benefits. You can't teach an old dog new tricks. One of the more damaging myths of aging is that after a certain age, you just won't be able to try anything new or contribute to things anymore.

The opposite is true. Middle-aged and older adults are just as capable of learning new things and thriving in new environments, plus they have the wisdom that comes with life experience.

If you believe in and have confidence in yourself, you are setting up a positive environment for change no matter what your age. As you age, there will be periods of both joy and stress.

It's important to build your resilience and find healthy ways to cope with challenges. This ability will help you make the most of the good times and keep your perspective when times are tough.

Focus on the things you're grateful for. The longer you live, the more you lose. But as you lose people and things, life becomes even more precious.

When you stop taking things for granted, you appreciate and enjoy what you have even more. Acknowledge and express your feelings. You may have a hard time showing emotions, perhaps feeling that such a display is inappropriate and weak. But burying your feelings can lead to anger, resentment, and depression.

Don't deny what you're going through. Find healthy ways to process your feelings, perhaps by talking with a close friend or writing in a journal. Accept the things you can't change. Many things in life are beyond our control.

Rather than stressing out over them, focus on the things you can control such as the way you choose to react to problems. Face your limitations with dignity and a healthy dose of humor.

Look for the silver lining. If your own poor choices contributed to a stressful situation, reflect on them and learn from your mistakes. Take daily action to deal with life's challenges. When a challenge seems too big to handle, sweeping it under the carpet often appears the easiest option.

But ignoring the problem doesn't make it go away; it allows both the problem and your anxiety to build. Instead, take things one small step at a time.

Even a small step can go a long way to boosting your confidence and reminding you that you are not powerless. Laughter is strong medicine for both the body and the mind. It helps you stay balanced, energetic, joyful, and healthy at any age. A sense of humor helps you get through tough times, look outside yourself, laugh at the absurdities of life, and transcend difficulties.

See: Laughter is the Best Medicine. A key ingredient in the recipe for healthy aging is the continuing ability to find meaning and joy in life.

As you age, your life will change and you will gradually lose things that previously occupied your time and gave your life purpose. For example, your job may change, you may eventually retire from your career, your children may leave home, or other friends and family may move far away.

But this is not a time to stop moving forward. Later life can be a time of exciting new adventures if you let it. Everyone has different ways of experiencing meaning and joy, and the activities you enjoy may change over time. If your career slows down or you retire, or if your children leave home, you may find you have more time to enjoy activities outside of work and immediate family.

Either way, taking time to nourish your spirit is never wasted. Pick up a long-neglected hobby or try a new hobby. Taking a class or joining a club or sports team is a great way to pursue a hobby and expand your social network at the same time.

Learn something new , such as an instrument, a foreign language, a new game, or a new sport. Learning new activities not only adds meaning and joy to life, but can also help to maintain your brain health and prevent mental decline. Get involved in your community.

Try attending a local event or volunteering for a cause that's important to you. The meaning and purpose you find in helping others will enrich and expand your life. Community work can also be a great way of utilizing and passing on the skills you honed in your career—without the commitment or stress of regular employment.

Spend time in nature. Take a scenic hike, go fishing or camping, enjoy a ski trip, or walk a dog in the park. Enjoy the arts.

Visit a museum, go to a concert or a play, join a book group, or take an art appreciation class. The possibilities are endless. The important thing is to find activities that are both meaningful and enjoyable for you.

BetterHelp is an online therapy service that matches you to licensed, accredited therapists who can help with depression, anxiety, relationships, and more. Take the assessment and get matched with a therapist in as little as 48 hours.

One of the greatest challenges of aging is maintaining your support network. Staying connected isn't always easy as you grow older—even for those who have always had an active social life.

Career changes, retirement , illness, and moves out of the local area can take away close friends and family members. And the older you get, the more people you inevitably lose. In later life, getting around may become difficult for either you or members of your social network. It's important to find ways to reach out and connect to others, regardless of whether or not you live with a spouse or partner.

Along with regular exercise, staying social can have the most impact on your health as you age. Having an array of people you can turn to for company and support as you age is a buffer against loneliness, depression, disability, hardship, and loss.

The good news is that there are lots of ways to be with other people. It doesn't matter what you do, so long as you find ways to get out of the house if possible and socialize:.

Connect regularly with friends and family. Spend time with people you enjoy and who make you feel upbeat. It may be a neighbor who you like to exercise with, a lunch date with an old friend, shopping with your children, or playing with your grandkids. Even if you are not close by, call or email frequently to keep relationships fresh.

Tipss healthy choices— like fruits, Agging, whole grains, lean meats, low-fat dairy products, and water. Being active can help you prevent, delay, ggacefully Aging gracefully tips chronic diseases; improve balance Almond milk alternatives stamina; reduce risk Aging gracefully tips falls; gracdfully improve brain health. TIP Tipz for moderate physical activity, like walking, at least minutes a week minutes a day and muscle strengthening activity, like carrying groceries, at least 2 days a week. If you use tobacco, take the first step towards quitting by calling QUIT-NOW for FREE help. This can prevent disease or find it early, when treatment is more effective. Share your family health history with your doctor, who can help you take steps to prevent chronic diseases or catch them early. Follow Aging gracefully tips top gracwfully tips for Agkng better. It Aging gracefully tips obvious, but having a balanced diet is crucial for good B vitamins and aging, energy and preventing illness. An Aging gracefully tips diet should tjps low in saturated fat, with lots of fruit and vegetables, wholegrains, oily fish, and small amounts of low-fat dairy and lean meat. Tea, coffee and fruit juice will also help you to stay hydrated, but avoid sugary fizzy drinks. See our healthy eating guide for lots more information. Brush your teeth twice a day and floss daily.

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