Healthy Aging. How To Slow Down the Hands of Time


BikingIs it possible to age gracefully? Is it possible to slow down the hands of time? More and more research is showing that the answer to those two questions is a resounding "Yes". It would appear that to a significant degree, we are in charge of how well our bodies and minds age. Read on for a few tips on healthy aging. Surprisingly, we are not going to be talking about Botox or cosmetic surgery.

 

Researchers have discovered that aging can be impacted by your diet, your emotional well being, regular exercise, and mental stimulation. We are going to have a look at all four components.

 

Diet

The Mediterranean Diet. Many studies have recently shown that following the Mediterranean Diet can have a significant impact on aging and mortality. A study from the the Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain at Columbia University Medical Center, revealed that the Mediterranean Diet can reduce the risk of mild dementia, caused by aging, by as much as 48%. This study followed almost 2,000 people and ran for approximately 4 1/2 years. The Mediterranean Diet has also been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes type 2, all diseases faced by many of us in the Western world as we start to grow older.

The Mediterranean Diet is an eating pattern that involves eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, along with breads, pastas, and cereals that are unrefined and whole grains. Red meat is eaten extremely infrequently. Oily fish, such as salmon, mackerels and herrings, are eaten several times weekly. Due to the high amounts of fresh fruits and veges, the Mediterranean Diet is also a rich source of anti-oxidants, which researchers have shown to be extremely beneficial in the anti-aging process, when consumed as a natural source. This Diet does not include Western style fats and oils such as lard, margarine and butter, but instead utilises the fats from olives, avocados, and nuts. The primary source of fats is obtained from virgin olive oil. For those with a medical clearance, the Mediterranean Diet does allow for 1 glass of wine for women, and 2 for men on a daily basis, accompanied by a meal.

 

Emotional health

Having a purpose. A new study fresh out of the Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, U.S. has shown that older adults who feel that they have some purpose to their lives are about half as likely to die, as those who have no focus, goals, or ambitions. The study ran for 5 years and followed the health and lives of over 1200 senior citizens. Researchers concluded that continuing to set goals, feeling as if daily activities were valuable, and thinking that there was still more to obtain from life were powerful in shielding the individuals from poor health.

Relaxed and happy. Enjoying daily activities is an important part of slowing the aging process. You might like to join a yoga class to reap the benefits of connecting the mind and body, reducing stress levels and blood pressure points. Make the most of what you have, and try not to let the negatives get you too down.

 

Mental stimulation

"Use it or lose it" is an extremely important component to remaining sharp mentally. Crosswords, sudoku, card games, or learning a new language, are all great ways to keep your brain in tip top shape.

 

Exercise

Exercising daily, even if it is a walk around the block with the dog, is extremely beneficial. A 30 minute walk each day is enough to elevate your mood, help manage weight, reduce the risk of diabetes type 2, keep your skin glowing, provide your heart and lungs with a workout, decrease the risk of the bone thinning disease osteoporosis, and keep your muscle mass up. Those who are not too keen on walking, can try cycling, aqua aerobics, swimming, or yoga, as healthy anti-aging workout alternatives.

 

Conclusion

We can all contribute to aging in a more healthy and beneficial manner. Exercising daily, and following a diet that is rich in natural anti-oxidants are excellent places to start. Remaining goal oriented would appear to be terribly important as potential insurance against many health nasties associated with the aging process. Lastly, keeping your brain stimulated is important for retaining mental acuity.

 

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