How to Age Gracefully
Antonio Zamora - Age 67
A large percentage of people who are retired or close to retirement take medications for diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, digestive problems, and other chronic conditions that have developed over their lifetime. If you listen to the drug commercials during the national evening news, this is normal, but it should not be. Many of the diseases that we associate with old age are the result of bad diet, exposure to harmful chemicals, and lack of exercise.
Optimum Nutrition
Your diet should include enough protein and essential fatty acids to maintain a normal weight. The large number of overweight people all around us distorts our notion of what is a normal weight. Use this Body Mass Index (BMI) Calculator to determine whether your weight is in the normal range.
Exercise
You should engage in 30 minutes of vigorous exercise at least three to four times per week. Exercise improves your coordination and your muscle strength. Exercise also keeps you lungs and circulatory system in good working condition. But be careful. Avoid getting injured from strenuous or high-impact exercises.
Keep Active Socially and Mentally
As you age, you will need to maintain a good social network. Many people who live to a ripe old age become depressed when they feel isolated as their friends and relatives start dying. You can keep engaged by volunteering to teach young people, or by participating in social organizations that make you feel useful.
Try to stay healthy
The two most common causes of death are heart disease and cancer. If you can avoid these two dangers, you have a good chance of living a long life. Many cardiovascular diseases can be avoided by maintaining a normal weight and exercising regularly. The risk of cancer can be reduced by avoiding substances that damage your cellular DNA and cause tumors, such as the chemicals in tobacco.
Learn How Others Do It!
One of the best ways to learn how to age gracefully is to constantly explore the concept with those who are indeed aging gracefully. You can always read about famous people and celebrities, but remember that with vast wealth comes the ability to hire all sorts of people to keep you looking and feeling fabulous.
Read about the oldest person alive and see what helps "normal" people age gracefully.
Learn how to reduce cancer risks through diet and lifestyle changes
