There’s no experience quite like the aging process. It is both inspiring yet humbling. The ability to retain and develop wisdom comes face to face with the realization that the physical body will continue to need more attention in order to thrive.
Though staying healthy might seem like a really tedious process, this is only the case if you’re doing a massive overhaul to undo bad habits you’ve built over the years. Instead, consider some of the small steps you can take today in order to remain healthy as you age.
1. Increased Water Consumption
If you’re not used to drinking lots of water on a consistent basis, don’t beat yourself up. Just know that your body is in for a treat. Leave a bottle of water by your bedside. When you wake up in the morning, reach for the water first. If you don’t like the taste of water, add a few pieces of fruit. Cucumbers, strawberries, and lemons work well in water. For a refreshing taste, add some mint into your water.
Try your best to drink at least one bottle of water every three hours. As you get used to drinking every three hours, increase water consumption every two hours. Set a timer on your phone to remind you to sip on some water. Use a straw to help you get it done faster. Your body needs water in order to thrive. This step can be a major game-changer.
2. Physical Movement
If you spend a lot of time at your work desk, it can be understandably difficult to find time to exercise and get physical movement. The key is to prioritize movement by infusing it throughout the day. Instead of taking the elevator, take the stairs. Park your car at the back of the parking lot when you’re visiting the grocery store to allow your feet to get more steps.
Use a desk riser in order to stand at your desk, improve circulation, and encourage more movement. Before you go to bed at night, do a few stretches on a yoga mat. When you wake up in the morning, do fifty jumping jacks, minute-long planks, and a few push-ups. There are plenty of ways to infuse movement without spending hours in the gym.
3. Calorie Monitoring
Monitor your calories by preparing your food at home. When you prepare your food at home, you know exactly what’s going into any given meal. You can measure the amount of salt and sugar that’s going into your food. It’s also wise to measure certain ingredients such as olive oil and butter. By closely measuring these ingredients, you can protect yourself from silent killers such as hypertension, heart disease, and high blood pressure.
4. Food Replacement
Start to gradually transition to a plant-based diet. If you don’t want to fully adopt it, that’s fine. While it can be beneficial, you don’t have to completely eliminate any meat or animal by-products if you don’t want to. Just focus on mainly consuming meals that are filled with fruits, vegetables, nuts, and grains. For breakfast, enjoy a green smoothie, overnight oats, or avocado toast. For lunch, enjoy a black bean burger. For dinner, enjoy a squash casserole, steamed vegetables, and brown rice.
5. Passive Income Streams
If you’re constantly working to provide for your family, it gets very stressful. A part of maintaining optimal health is recognizing your inability to work endless hours without burning yourself out. Find ways to develop passive income streams that will work for you in your sleep. You never want to get to the age of retirement and realize that you can’t stop working because you need the money. Set up the right income streams now.
6. Therapy
Mental health is wealth. Take care of your mind by finding a therapist you can visit on a regular basis. As you work through therapy, you can uncover deeply-rooted beliefs that don’t serve the person you’re trying to become. Therapy is also important because life happens. You’ll experience trauma. The right therapist will give you the tools to face and deal with your trauma so that you can move forward.
When you look at this list in its totality, it might seem overwhelming. That’s why it’s best to adopt a new habit every few weeks. Make it a part of your routine until it feels like second nature. Then, before you know it, you’ll look in the mirror and notice the change. You’ll stand on the scale and notice the change. You visit your doctor or family health care specialist to get bloodwork, and they’ll notice the change. Get started, and make today the day you make the change.
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