Successful Aging To The End

If someone told you that you can bypass many of the conditions that affect the older generation with a few lifestyle changes, would you do it? Would you make uncomfortable changes now in your 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s if it meant you would experience a better quality of life in your 70s and beyond?

Embracing successful aging is not a distant dream but a tangible reality that can be achieved by adopting healthy habits. The earlier you start, the more pronounced the benefits will be, empowering you to take charge of your aging journey.

What You Can Do For Successful Aging at Any Age

Each decade of our lives reflects how we cared for ourselves in the previous decades. For example, suppose you spent your 40s commuting two hours daily and working a desk job while doing minimal exercise. In that case, you may notice significant weight gain and achy joints in your 50s, perhaps even preventable conditions like Type 2 diabetes and obesity.

Looking back, you would have told your younger self to move more, make time for exercise, and cut back on fast food and processed items at the grocery store. No matter your age right now, stop looking back. Start now at this age to make changes you will thank yourself for in the future.

As Christians, we want to be ready for whatever adventure God wants for us. He prepares us, but we are responsible for caring for our bodies physically and mentally as much as is within our control. Imagine yourself at 90 years old. What would you tell the version of you at the age you are right now? That is your starting point.

30s and 40s

Successful aging starts as early as our 30s. The signs of youth that we may have taken for granted – glowing and firm skin, flexibility, balance, fluid joints – begin the aging process through hormonal changes. The skin loses its elasticity, and you may notice some sagging and fine lines. Hair and nails become slightly brittle and dry. Some women, after years of childbirth, may experience mild incontinence when they laugh, sneeze, or cough hard. Men may wake up a few nights a week to urinate due to the start of prostate issues.

To fight this, incorporate more exercise into your daily life. Take more walks and move more outside of exercise sessions, such as walking around every hour if you are sedentary for most of the day. Choose healthier meals 80% of the time, allowing yourself treats as needed so as not to feel deprived. Ask your physician about nutritional supplementation if your diet lacks.

50s and 60s

Always consult your primary care physician before starting a new exercise regimen, especially in your 50s, 60s, and beyond. At this stage, heart health is crucial. During the younger years, more men fell victim to heart disease, but after menopause, women catch up to that statistic. If your doctor clears you, incorporate heart-pounding exercises such as walking, cycling, or swimming.

Flexibility training improves balance, and resistance training helps keep bones strong, preventing a break if you fall. Unfortunately, a fall can lead to a broken hip or broken ribs, which can result in pneumonia. The older we get, the harder it is to fight illnesses such as pneumonia. Continue to eat healthier fare most of the time.

70s and Beyond

At age 70 and beyond, attend all health screenings and continue to move more, walk, and eat healthier nutrient-dense meals. Your doctor can help you decide if you can add new exercise regimens or need to dial it back a bit. For example, if you bicycle in town a few days a week but are beginning to feel dizzy at times, your doctor may recommend keeping your cycling exercise to a recumbent bike.

Continue to build and nurture relationships in the community and at church. Friendships can be essential to good mental health as we age. Better yet, choose hobbies as an excuse to socialize with your friends.

The Mental Game of Successful Aging

Successful aging incorporates the physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, relational, and financial areas of our lives. Your mental perspective on successful aging accounts for a great deal of how you manage the rest of your life. Are you emotionally resilient? Is your faith in Jesus strong? Are your relationships with those you love and your community enough to sustain you? Do you give more than you take? Is your physical health what you would expect for your age, or do you need to work on it?

Contact a Christian counselor today who specializes in aging and senior programs. With planning and implementation, you can achieve successful aging. Create a strategy today with the help of a counselor.