Age Ain't Nothing but a Number: Tips on Staying Young

They say you’re only as young as you feel, but it begs the question–how can I stay young? While it comes easier to some than others, the truth behind a more youthful mindset is never simple. However, getting started doesn’t have to be harder than picking up a few new habits and sticking to them. Looking for some ideas to get started? Check out our list of tips on how to feel young.

1. Put Healthy Habits First

The reality is that feeling young is never going to be as easy as it used to be. Don’t expect to stay up late eating junk food and wake up the next morning feeling fresh and ready for the day. However, that doesn’t mean managing your health needs to be a full-time job either. Just make sure to get in the habit of making healthy choices, and soon it will come naturally.

Nutrition

Everyone’s body is different, and finding the diet that works for you can take a bit of trial and error. However, everyone benefits from plant-based diets full of nutrients. Make sure to balance your proteins and grains with leafy greens, berries, and nuts.

Learn How to Build Nutritious Snacks

Sleep

Improving your sleep hygiene is all about creating a calm and consistent space for your body to rest. Make sure to go to bed at the same time every night, in a dark, quiet place. Avoid exercise, eating, or overstimulation in the hours leading up to bed.

Hydration

It may sound simple, but you’d be surprised how many people fail to get enough water each day. While we often hear 8 glasses of water is the goal to shoot for, the reality is that as many as 13 cups is better, depending on your body weight.

Learn More About the Benefits of Staying Hydrated

Medical Care

Of course, make sure to routinely see your doctor for help monitoring common conditions that affect older adults. Talking to your doctor can also help ensure you’re staying on top of all of the items listed above.

By taking care of these details, you’ll find yourself with more energy and enthusiasm for the day, making it easier to embrace a youthful mindset.

2. Learn to Keep Your Cool Over Health Issues

While health should be your top priority, spending all your time stressing over health concerns doesn’t exactly sound youthful, does it? The trick is learning to balance your healthy habits with a more fun and spontaneous mindset. In this case, it’s a mental and emotional challenge, rather than a physical one.

Find Ways to Lower Cortisol

This can be even more difficult when battling a specific health issue that affects your day-to-day life. However, even in these cases, there’s always the opportunity to focus on the positive and pursue the things that give us the most joy.

3. Keep Your Body Moving

Stagnation is a surefire way to feel like an old-timer, and regular activity is a must for maintaining your energy and mobility. While health issues may prevent some seniors from enjoying all the activities they used to, it’s always possible to find some way to stay active. The key is choosing the activity that’s suited to your capabilities and health needs.

If you’re looking for some simple, low-impact ways to get your body moving, try one of these:

• Yoga
• Tai Chi
• Water Aerobics
• Chair Exercises

Don’t forget that staying active doesn’t have to mean exercise. Sometimes, activities like walking your dog, exploring nature, biking, or gardening can be the perfect way to keep you busy. Try to choose physical activities that you look forward to, rather than dread.

4. Stay Up-To-Date With Tech and Culture

It seems like new gadgets are being invented every day, and if you’re not already a tech enthusiast, it can feel a bit overwhelming. It’s not necessary to stay on top of every trend, but having basic familiarity with some of the most popular technologies is a surefire way to keep you feeling younger.

For example, a voice-activated digital assistant can be a huge help to older adults who need help managing appointments, staying connected, and even managing household tasks. It’s an especially good choice for those who get easily flustered by technology since it’s controlled completely through voice. You can connect alarms and home appliances to simplify daily tasks.

Social media is another tool that’s often under-utilized by seniors. It can be the perfect way to stay in touch with friends and relatives without having to write and call. If you’re not thrilled by the idea of using a laptop or desktop computer, you can also consider a touchscreen tablet, to make the experience even easier.

5. Remember Skin Care

Sometimes, looking young is the first step toward feeling young. There’s already plenty of advice for how to do this, but the most important takeaway comes down to two simple words: skin care. You don’t have to spend all your money on anti-aging creams since the most effective solution is also one of the most simple. Sunscreen is one of the best ways to keep your skin looking younger, preventing UV rays from breaking down collagen and causing wrinkles. Of course, it’s especially important on sunny days, but applying it in all weather can have a noticeable impact too.

From massage cream to eye serum, we have a range of skincare products to choose from.

6. Don’t Forget to Have Fun

When your schedule is packed, it’s easy to forget one of the most important parts of feeling young–fun! Whether that means getting coffee with a close friend, going for a hike, cooking, gardening, or visiting a museum, you should always make time to do what you love. While it may sound hard to find time in your busy life, the mental space an invigorating activity opens up will make your schedule seem that much more manageable.

Or maybe you’re not sure how to fill your time? In that case, you may want to try one of these 100 activities for older adults.

Feeling Young at Any Age

We all age differently, so it makes sense that our strategies for feeling younger should be just as diverse. See which of the options above are a good fit for your lifestyle, and work on building habits gradually. With a bit of effort, you’ll be feeling years younger in no time.