How to Age Gracefully in Your 60’s

Introduction

Inevitably, aging is a natural process, but it is also the most beautiful thing. You might have accomplished your professional goals, formed lasting relationships, and acquired many life lessons. And you may now want to relax and enjoy life without the anxiety and uncertainty of your younger years. To age gracefully, however, is not always simple.

While it can trigger a range of feelings in people, becoming older need not mean losing ground. On the contrary, you should remember that your “golden years” have a term for a reason. The years in your sixties and beyond should be the best of your life.

With that said, aging gracefully implies embracing and adjusting to the physical and mental changes that come with age while retaining good health and high quality of life.

Six Lifestyle Tips to Age Gracefully into Your Better Years

So are you wondering what the secret to aging well is? Well, read the below tips:

1. Get yourself checked regularly

It’s always a good idea to visit the doctor for a checkup, regardless of age. But, as you age, it is even more crucial. Ask your doctor how frequently you should get checkups and screening tests. Also, whenever you suffer any disturbing symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.

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2. Be mindful of what you eat

It is no secret that maintaining good health requires a balanced diet. Our diet has an impact on many aspects of our health. A healthy diet also enables us to fend off diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and other conditions. Additionally, nutrition helps us stay cognitively bright and offers us more energy to engage in activities. Some potential side effects of aging, such as wrinkled skin, inflammation, digestive problems, memory loss, and age-related difficulties, may be managed by specific vitamins and nutrients.

Eating a diet high in fruits, vegetables, lean protein, whole grains and low in sugar is highly recommended. Avoid refined sugars, processed meals, and excessive fats. In addition, reduce your salt intake as much as possible to lower your blood pressure.

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3. Make regular exercise a habit

We stay young by exercising. Moving more has been shown to decrease aging at the cellular level. Put this way, an active body will age more gracefully than one sedentary.

Additionally, you’ll notice an improvement in your energy level, flexibility, and general well-being. You don’t have to overdo it at the gym or run marathons. Walking for at least 30 minutes a day, three times a week, can keep your bones strong, keep your mind clear, and improve your mood.

Find a form of exercise you enjoy, whether it’s yoga, weightlifting, dancing, walking, or jogging. Finding an activity you’re motivated to keep with is the most crucial component.

4. Get adequate sleep

As we age, many of us have problems falling asleep or staying asleep. Unfortunately, due to the lack of sleep, you can experience fatigue and irritability.

Adults over 60 still require 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night, contrary to popular belief that this amount decreases with aging. If you have been a night owl by nature, years of getting up early may have left you sleep-deprived. So irrespective of the fact that you are still working or have taken retirement now is the perfect moment to start adjusting your sleep routine.

Getting adequate sleep lowers the risk of heart disease and stroke, reduces stress and depression, reduces inflammation, and improves attention and concentration. Additionally, did you know your body releases a hormone while you sleep? The hormone promotes growth, which helps to replenish collagen and elastin, the major components in the fundamental building blocks of youthful, beautiful skin. So it turns out that “beauty sleep” is not entirely a myth.

5. Let go of cigarettes and alcohol

Let us reiterate that smoking is terrible for your health and your brain, in case you weren’t aware of it earlier. Smoking and drinking both hasten the aging process and increase disease risk.

The chemicals added to cigarettes are known to weaken collagen and skin suppleness and harm skin fiber. Additionally, bronchitis, lung cancer, and heart disease are some of the health issues associated with smoking. Although it’s challenging to stop smoking, several resources can assist you.

Don’t consume more than the amount advised as a daily maximum when it comes to alcohol. As we become older, there are variations to the safe alcohol consumption amount. Additionally, you might need to drink less or not at all if you take certain medications or have a health condition. Ask your healthcare provider if alcohol is safe because it can interfere with some medicines.

6. Keep your body hydrated

It’s essential to stay hydrated. Water makes up between 50 and 60 percent of our bodies. Regular hydration keeps our system operating smoothly. Keeping your body hydrated has numerous benefits. For example, water eliminates toxins from your body. It also facilitates digestion and aids in better concentration, better night’s sleep, and even weight loss.

Daily hydration nourishes the skin by keeping it moist. It also keeps your hair and nails appear strong and supple. Moreover, well-hydrated skin may have less apparent wrinkles.

Lastly, if you don’t regularly consume enough water, don’t worry; just make an effort to do so starting today. For example, you might begin by drinking a sizable glass of water first thing in the morning. You can also stay hydrated by drinking tea, coffee, or fruit juice; however, avoid sugary, carbonated beverages. You can also nibble on hydrating fruits and vegetables like grapes, melons, and cucumbers.

The Bottom Line

Aging gracefully involves accepting and celebrating the unique beauty and value of getting older rather than trying to seem younger or stopping the aging process. It entails looking after oneself mentally, emotionally, and physically and discovering joy and meaning in life.

Even though stopping the clock may not be possible, we may take a few steps to age gracefully and keep our quality of life. Some of the best appropriate measures to age gracefully include regular exercise, a balanced diet, keeping up with medical checkups and screenings, getting good-quality sleep, etc.

About Theresa Duncan

Originally from Detroit, MI, Theresa has been offering health and fitness advice for the last 30 years while working as an engineer. She decided to turn her passion into a profession, and finds nothing more satisfying than helping others reach their health and fitness goals.