Learn the 7 Ways for Healthy Aging

The aging population in the US is growing larger. The aging are living longer. While it is worthwhile to live to a ripe old age, it is even more gratifying if you are aging in a healthy way. 

Often this time of the year many of my posts deal with the Annual Election Period (AEP) when you have the opportunity to choose or replace your health care plan under Medicare. However, what you habitually do everyday has a significant bearing on healthy aging as opposed to being old and sickly.

In my view, there are 7 lifestyle habits that should be acquired if you don't have them already.

1. Get a good night's sleep every night. 
It can be as little as six hours. But, it should be one in which the lights are turned off with the full intention of sleeping and feeling relaxed in the morning,
2. Acquire and maintain a few friends
You need people with whom you can share good conversation, enjoy going to events, dinner, etc. and giving each other mutual support.
3. Keep the mind active. 
Find a mental activity that is absorbing and gratifying. It can be learning a new skill, regularly surfing the internet for new learning experiences and so on.
4. Get daily exercise. 
If you can't join a YMCA or a health club, get an exercise bike and some weights and work out for at least 3 to 5 minutes a day and walk regularly.
5. Eat a balanced diet. 
It is not necessary to eat three meals a day. Two meals will suffice. However, if you do choose to eat three meals, make them light and nutritious.
6. Control your thinking. 
Your mind can easily drift into a pattern of thinking that can make you sad and depressed if you are not careful. Think constructive thoughts - thoughts that are optimistic and forward looking.
7. Go to doctors less frequently unless you have an illness that needs to be monitored. 
Most doctors are trained to prescribe medications for any type of illnesses, real or imagined, and tests can sometimes give you false positives. Study and get to know your own body. Recognize symptoms that can be the precursors to a real illness. Then, when you go to the doctor, tell him specifically what your concerns are. Try not to get addicted to any type of medication.

Acquiring and maintaining these habits will be a great help in assuring a long and healthy life. If you don't already have a lifestyle based on these habits, reread this, and begin integrating these habits into your life. 

Remember any specific action repeated daily and consistently for at least 21 days will become a habit. Do this and acquire good habits.

4 Ways to Deal with the Physical Consequences of Mismanaging Stress

There is rarely a simple or single solution to any

problem no matter how large or small. However, the situation can be made worse if the resulting problem is stressful and the stress is mismanaged. If so, stress can lead to a variety of health problems.

There is evidence linking the mismanagement of stress with upper respiratory infection, coronary artery disease, auto-immune disorder, poor wound healing, and depression. These health problems represent the extreme conditions that can occur.

With regards to lesser conditions, there is solid evidence that stress affects most of the basic functions of life, including sleep, memory, managing pain, sexual activity, and getting nourishment from food.

It is also becoming acceptable knowledge that many of the changes usually attributed to getting old are likely caused by or accelerated by stress. These changes include the graying of your hair, the decline of your immune system, the aches and pains you accumulate, and your basic ability to learn new information and remember all the wonderful things that have happened to you along the way.

Although stress-related physical symptoms can appear to be overwhelming, stress can be managed and the physical conditions can be minimized or even eliminated, regardless of the cause. Here we will focus on some of the more common symptoms such as frequent headaches, fatigue, insomnia, and restlessness.

1. For frequent headaches, get a good night's sleep. Have something to eat and do relaxation exercises for the neck, head, and shoulders. Message the temples, and scalp, or put a warm, dry, cloth or a cold, wet one (whichever feels better) over, face, head, or neck.

2. For fatigue, don't try to fight the fatigue. Sleep as long as you can and go to bed early every night. Eat small amounts of complex carbohydrate foods regularly during the day. And, consider taking a course of B complex vitamin pills or Ginseng.

3. For insomnia, drink a hot milky drink before bedtime. Eat protein and carbohydrate rich foods in the evening and avoid tea and coffee, especially at this time. Eat your evening meals earlier. And, reduce your alcoholic intake.

4. For restlessness, try relaxation exercise such as lying on the floor and progressively stretch and release each and every part of the body. These relaxing exercises help you to recognize and distinguish between the different sensations of tension and relaxation. Meditation and prayer also can be quite helpful..

Use these strategies to manage the symptoms associated with stress and therefore minimize the possibility of stress escalated to the more extreme physical conditions earlier mentioned.

Your Thoughts? Leave your comments below.