Think you're too old to get healthy? Think again. You can make these doctor-approved shifts anytime.
By Charlie Duerr, Best Life
As you get older, it can feel more difficult to adopt new habits or break longstanding old ones—especially when it comes to your health. You tell yourself that you're too old to take up jogging or that you missed the boat on yoga. There's often a tendency to stick to what you know, doing the things you're used to whether they are good for your health or not. But while age can play a factor in your ability to engage in some activities, making healthy lifestyle choices isn't one of them. In fact, there may not be a better time than right now to start changing your ways. It could even mean adding years to your life.
For example, the researchers at the Johns Hopkins Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis observed the behaviors of more than 6,000 men and women between the ages of 44 and 84 over a period of seven years. In less than a decade, the team found overwhelming evidence that making healthy choices later in life had enormous benefits. Doing things like quitting smoking, following a Mediterranean diet, and getting regular exercise actually decreased an individual's risk of death during the course of the study by 80 percent, the researchers said. With that motivation in mind, it's time to cut out the excuses and get to work on these five healthy lifestyle choices you can make at any age. And for more things you can do to improve your health, check out 50 Important Habits Linked to a Longer Life.
1
Get some sleep.
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Getting a healthy amount of sleep is essential at every age. That's because, according to a 2020 research article from the National Sleep Foundation (NSF), sleeping restores and "fortifies virtually every system in the body." And failure to get consistent and sufficient sleep has been proven to weaken the body's immune system—and can even make some vaccines less effective, the NSF says. In other words, not exactly a risk you want to take during a pandemic. So, make sure you are getting the recommend seven to nine hours of sleep a night and talk to your doctor if you are having trouble. And for how your ability to rest changes as you age, check out 20 Ways Your Sleep Changes After 40.
2
Be more active.
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While physical activity may feel like more of an uphill climb than it used to be in your younger years, it's highly important that you don't let your age prevent you from keeping active.
"Exercise is also one of the best things you can do to help prevent dementia and other cognitive changes," Argye Hillis, MD, director of the cerebrovascular division at Johns Hopkins Medicine, said in a statement. It also lowers your risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and certain cancers, she says. Once it has been cleared by your doctor that it's safe for you to exercise, Hillis says to aim for at least 30 minutes of physical activity—anything from a light jog to a leisurely stroll—most days of the week.
3
Keep your mind sharp.
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It's not only your body you have to keep in good shape, but your brain as well. And just like your body, your mind needs regular workouts. According to Harvard Medical School: "Challenging your brain with mental exercise is believed to activate processes that help maintain individual brain cells and stimulate communication among them."
Whether it's playing chess or, as Johns Hopkins recommends, learning a new language, always make sure you are stimulating your brain—especially as you get older. And if you want a strong mind, check out 15 Games That Will Keep Your Brain Sharp.
4
Quit smoking.
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When it comes to the dangers of smoking—and the life-saving benefits of quitting—the stats speak for themselves. As soon as 24 hours after you stop smoking, Johns Hopkins doctors say you start to decrease your risk of having a heart attack. What's more, quitting decreased middle-aged smokers' risk of dying early by almost 50 percent. And for more helpful heart habits, check out 20 Ways to Reduce Your Risk of Heart Disease This Summer.
5
Eat better.
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According to Hillis, one of the best things you can do to help prevent dementia and lower several other health risks is to eat a Mediterranean diet. What does that mean exactly? Load up on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, olive oil, and fish, while keeping red meat, sugar, and processed foods to an absolute minimum. And for more helpful information, sign up for our daily newsletter.
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