In less than two months, I will be hitting a milestone birthday- the big 5 o! So far I haven’t given it much thought other than to plan a girlfriend’s weekend to celebrate but I have been noticing my metabolism slowing down and needing longer recovery times after workouts. The fact that I would like to have an active, adventurous life into old age has started me thinking about what I can do to preserve some health. Below are some ideas to consider.
- Stay hydrated: Chronic dehydration is a common contributor to an aging body. Water lubricates our joints, help keep us regular and helps our brain function. A well hydrated body has a more youthful glow.
- Control Stress: High levels of stress leads to increased cortisol, your stress hormone. The potential for heart disease, asthma, diabetes, obesity and tummy troubles greatly increase in people coping with chronic stress. Exercise, yoga, time with valued friend and meditation are all amazing ways to control stress.
- Eat your fruits and veggies: Load your plate with fruits and vegetables to increase your antioxidant intake. Loaded with vitamins A, k, C, E and beta-carotene, antioxidants fight free radical damage, repair cells and halt the free radical cascade from damaging more cells.
- Lift weights: Lifting weighs helps balance hormones, creates metabolism raising strong and sexy muscles, keeps bones strong and maintains healthy weight.
- Get a good nights sleep: Sleep is imperative for the body to rest and repair itself. Just one hour a night of less sleep kicks up cortisol levels , which can lead to oxidative stress and imbalanced blood sugar levels. Adults need an average of 7-9 hours a night for optimal health.
It may feel overwhelming to incorporate all of these habits into your life but starting with just one small change can lead to big results in your health. Start with the one that feels most doable now and then build on your success.
Photo from flickr.
