Isn't it strange? When we were children, we wanted to grow older as fast as possible because we wanted to have and enjoy all the good things that only grownups were allowed to! When we reached the adult age, we missed our childhood because of all the responsibilities that came with growing up. And when we grow old, we miss both!
So, how do you ensure that you age gracefully with fewer burdens to yourself or others? Allow me to list a few things that will help you in this endeavor:
1. First of all, remember that aging is all in the mind. If you think you've grown old, you most certainly have. But if you remain young at heart, you'll age more slowly and gracefully.
2. Try to maintain a routine in your life. This includes waking up early in the morning, going to bed early, taking a short nap in the afternoon, eating the right food at the right time, etc.
3. Exercise at least 3 times a week. If you can't do pushups, do some light aerobic exercise. Take a walk for at least 45 minutes a day, preferably in the morning.
4. Maintain a reading habit and endeavor to learn something new every day. Never let the brain idle; an idle brain is the devils workshop. And the devil's name is Alzheimer's. Your knowledge will also help your children and grandchildren in learning the ways of life.
5. Avoid or drastically reduce tobacco intake at all costs.
6. Avoid or reduce your alcohol intake. If you must, take a glass of red wine. A light beer is OK once a while.
7. Avoid or reduce junk food and products with high fat content / cholesterol. Avoid fried food at all costs. Eat more fruits and vegetables, especially starch. De-toxify your body at least once a month.
8. Avoid stress at all costs. Stress is a major aging accelerator. Remember, getting tensed about a problem is not going to make it go.
9. Laughter is the best medicine and it is 100% true. Crack jokes and have a nice laugh every single day! Quite a few clubs now include laughter sessions.
10. Regularize your water intake. Insufficient water intake causes dehydration which makes you feel tired and distressed. It can also result in headaches, constipation, chronic fatigue, dizziness, impotence, hair loss and more. Drink half a glass or one glass of water every hour.
11. Do not nag your children or grandchildren to the point that they would rather avoid you, or worst still, prefer you dead. Remember, everyone prefers to live their life in their own chosen independent way. You may advice them at times but don't go overboard. If they stop caring for you, you have no one to blame but yourself.
12. Make people want to be with you! When you have to kill time, you may want to visit friends and relatives regularly. Always remember to make it worthwhile for them to meet you. When you're planning to have dinner with them, don't go empty handed. Take some fruit or gift with you - don't make someone feel you like a burden. Be the first to propose to leave; don't wait to see a bored expression on their face. Make them look forward to see you again, not despise your company.
13. Yoga and meditation is also good for anti aging - you should seriously consider it.
14. Finally, remember that your physical health, mental health and spiritual health all go hand in hand. Each of them either boosts the others or affects it negatively, depending on what you do.
I hope you found this article useful. Unfortunately, aging is a huge subject and I cannot give it justice with just one article. If you're really serious in learning more about it, I urge you to visit , so do drop in!