Aging is inevitable. One can not do much to delay it. Wrinkles are going to set in and one will experience a decline in mobility that is how it is. But just because you are getting old doesn’t mean you have to age. Is there a difference, you might ask?
There is!
If you ever came across the term physiologically young you might understand what we mean. For those who don’t know, psychically ageing refers to having a positive and young attitude in life regardless of how many candles one has on their birthday cake. It is also about staying active, being cognitively present and enjoying life as it should be enjoyed.
A number research studies reveal that having a positive attitude in life can reduce the chances of many health conditions such as heart attacks. In study involving 100,000 women, those who had an up beat and optimistic attitude towards life were 30% less likely to die from a coronary heart disease. Another similar study evidenced that people who stayed optimistic were less likely to be frail.
So how can you stay young when ageing? Here are some ideas:
1. It all starts with a positive attitude:
The way one feels about themselves is going to affect how long they live. Regardless of what one ages or how they feel about themselves, it is important to have some goals and objectives. These will help one to loo forward to something. What will drive you to achieve them? Motivation and a positive attitude!
2. Spend time with your loved ones:
Instead of choosing to stay in a nursing home, opt to live with family close by. Even if you don’t; get along them or are on bad terms with them, having them around is going to make you happy. Spend festivals at home among you loved ones, spoil the grandchildren with toys and other gifts and go meet your friends. All these activities will get your mind off the worry of getting old. If you can’t make sure to best mobile plans so that you can stay connected.
3. Avoid mobility aids:
Mobility aids remind one that they are no longer strong enough to regulate their body. Avoid them unless really necessary. Instead of relying on a motorized wheelchair, try to take a walk so that your muscles don’t completely relax and stay active. The key is to stay physically active. When you exercise, your body builds endurance and strength. Resisting medical aids will slowly but surely ramp you up.
4. Stop worrying about what the future holds:
Stressing about things like lack of mobility or how to have funeral expenses covered will only lead to depression which is among the common causes of death in elders. Instead of worrying about such matters, try spending more and more tie doing things that you enjoy doing. When your brain ids occupied, such thoughts won’t enter and therefore won’t make you feel stressed out about what will happen.
5. Get busy gaming:
Another great ways to stay cognitively active is indulging in brainy games such as crossword puzzles, Sudoku and other cognitive online games. Studies suggest that doing crossword puzzles everyday or weekly helps improve one’s mental ability, especially in those seniors who suffer from Alzheimer’s or dementia.