You may think you don’t need to even consider the effects of ageing until you’re well into your 50s or 60s, but actually the process starts much younger – as early as your 20s. But there’s no need to panic! Ageing is a natural process and with a healthy lifestyle you can enjoy a longer, happier life until you are ready to receive your 100th birthday card from the Queen! Below, Mark Carter from Goldster gives his five top tips for healthy ageing.
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1. Do some physical activity every day
Everyone needs some type of physical activity in their lives - whether it’s going to the gym, taking a stroll while enjoying nature or finally taking up that yoga class. The key is consistency. Even just 30 minutes of low-impact physical activity a day can improve your body, mind and soul. Keeping fit not only helps maintain strength, fitness and flexibility, but also improves your state of mind as you release endorphins, or ‘feel good’ hormones. Physical activity should become a vital part of your daily routine: it promotes healthy ageing while limiting health problems now and in the future.
2. Feed your body with the right nutrients
The saying “you are what you eat” is absolutely true. If you feed your body with processed foods and sugary drinks you will feel lethargic and you will be at much higher risk of developing serious health issues. Fuelling your body with wholesome meals can benefit you in many ways. Remember healthy eating doesn’t have to be boring: a watermelon, mint and feta summer salad or a delicious salmon stir fry can be nutritious. Eat a variety of foods in the correct proportion to get all the minerals and nutrients you need. A balanced diet also boosts your immune system and lowers the risk of non-communicable diseases like diabetes.
3. Develop a good sleep habit
Sleep is something that isn’t spoken about enough! Sleep is the brain’s and body’s recovery period: studies show that it’s crucial to get at least 8 hours of sleep a night. Lack of sleep can cause several issues for your body and mind so it’s important to ensure you get the quality and quantity required. As well as lowering the risk of serious health problems, sleep helps us maintain a healthy weight, reduces stress and has a positive effect on our mental health and wellbeing. Put your phone on silent, turn the telly off and try to go to bed at the same time each night to create a healthy sleeping habit. Everyone needs their beauty sleep!
4. Challenge your mind and body frequently
We can sometimes find ourselves forgetting someone’s name or where we put our keys, regardless of our age. This is where challenging your mind comes in: it’s proven to enhance your memory and improve your cognitive health. Stimulate your mind by trying something new, perhaps reading a book or learning a language. Alternatively, try out a variety of different classes such as tai chai, photography, painting, journaling and singing on Goldster, a digital platform that provides a non-drug approach to health. It provides over 450 classes that are designed to target the physical, emotional and cognitive benefits people seek for their health.Goldster delivers the ability for people to find benefits through self-prescription, general prescription in one of its many guided programs, and in the future personalised prescription for health outcomes.
5. Live a bit of happiness every day
Lastly, and most importantly, take a moment every day to take a deep breath and be grateful for the small things in life. Living a healthy, positive life is the key to your happiness - emotionally, mentally, and physically!