Breaking old habits of a lifetime is just what the doctor ordered if,for your health’s sake,you take for inspiration that you’re never too old to adopt new healthful habits. The rewards: In the Johns Hopkins-led Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis,which tracked more than 6,000 people ages 44 to 84 for over seven years, those who made good-for-you changes like quitting smoking, following a Mediterranean diet, getting regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight decreased their risk of death in the time period by 80 percent. The following changes not only keep you healthy, they can help slow down the ageing process, inside and out.
Be more active
Any amount of exercise will make you healthier. All people who are able to exercise, regardless of age, should be active throughout the week.
Make your daily habits and tasks become part of an overarching habit to take more exercise.
Stop smoking
This is just simply a given achieved by breaking an old bad habit.Why not try to have an alternative distracting good habit to trigger another activity like go for a walk or when the draw of the cigarette occurs.
Make a better diet
Less sugar, fewer calories generally in your daily diet is believed to help you age more successfully.
Many health experts recommend the Mediterranean diet as a basis for a healthy diet.
7 Helpful Tips for getting the best out of the Mediterranean diet
Get more sleep
As you age you still need your sleep.Medical experts say that sleeping badly in older age is often put down to an intervention from,for example,an assortment of medication or perhaps from snoring. Make a habit to see your doctor regularly to remove as many as possible of the issues affecting your proper and much needed sleep.When preparing for sleep have a routine of creating an environment of calm,subdued lighting will help,and curtains drawn to keep out external light that might disturb you.You need almost as much sleep as you did when younger.It is just that bit harder to achieve it in later life.
Work your brain
Develop and continue the habit of learning. This can be everyday reading. You can set out to read say a book every week. Or, more formally, study for degree or professional qualifications that give you a new and absorbing interest,maybe even a new career, but an experience different from your earlier life. Keep a keen interest in all about you.
Patricia Bishop is an inspiration to all ages She is a pensioner who has recently been awarded her third university degree at the age of 91 years. Her first degree was won 70 years ago. Loved the challenge and working with young people which she found stimulating.It helped her morale and gave her a sense of real purpose.
Finally, a habit is a regular routine,tendency or practice.Something you do almost without thinking you are doing it. It may take about 30 days for a habit to fully form. It is well worth it.
This post is part of a 30 Day Blog Challenge. Wish me luck!