What does it mean to age gracefully? You can’t go anywhere today these days without seeing and hearing people tell you how to look younger, at any age. Everybody is fearful of wrinkles and sagging skin. Is there anything we can really do about ageing well?

To us, it is all about ageing the best way you know how. Let’s face it, none of us want to be 20 something again. We’ve lived our lives, made mistakes, hit some jackpots over the decades, and learnt many lessons along the way. But that doesn’t mean we want to go through all that again. Below are a few things to keep in mind, and if that fails, grab a pen and paper and take notes.

Regular visits to your GP

Make seeing your doctor regularly, a learning curve. Try to make it an enjoyable update on how you’re ageing. Seeing a GP regularly can help the doctor to find any problems you may have, early or even before they start. How often you see a doctor depends on your age, lifestyle, family history, and existing conditions. Ask your doctor how often you should go in for check-ups and screening tests as you age. Also, see a doctor anytime you experience concerning symptoms. Never wait too long with any pressing health concerns or worries.

Drink plenty of water

Drinking enough water helps keep you regular and improves your energy levels and brain function. At later stages in life our skin show dehydration. Water is life’s most important ingredient, everything needs water, as do you. Think about that. The quantities and number of times you need to drink water, depends on your lifestyle. Your activity level, your thirst. How often you urinate and move your bowels. How much you sweat and your gender plays a big role too. This is one question of many that your doctor can help you with.

Exercise

Exercise helps with overall health and wellness. We don’t have to become the next fitness model but maintaining a certain level of fitness is important for your body. Exercising lowers your risk of diseases. Think of your heart and lungs just to start with. It assists with better mobility as the years pile on. Regular exercise can lower stress and improve sleep and skin health and boost your mood. Try to begin with 5 hours per week of moderate exercises. Muscle strengthening activities two or more days per week. No heavy lifting if you are not yet used to it or know how to do it properly. There are plenty of fitness guru’s who can step in and give you all the suitable advice for every age and physique. If you are not used to doing physical activities, start with walking and swimming as these provide little to no stress to your joints. Another fun way to exercise is taking up dance classes.

Diet

Don’t lose site of the all-important diet. Healthy foods will help you avoid having to live off medication and pills. Have your fruits and vegetables, as fresh and natural as possible, or get your daily dose in the form of an organic/all natural fruit drink. Try to avoid canned foods as they have way too much salt in them due to the processes of canning. Enjoy lean proteins in fish and beans. Stay away from processed foods, refined sugars, and unhealthy fats.

Skincare

Your skin is your body’s largest organ. If you treat it with care, it can better protect your body from the elements, regulate your body temperature, and provide proper sensation. To keep it looking and functioning at its best, you should wear sunscreen and protective clothing when outside. Stick to gentle, organic and natural products in your anti-ageing skin care routine. Keep your skin hydrated with natural moisturisers, in order to lock in the moisture and give your skin back what it may lose throughout the day.

Mental health matters.

Being happy and keeping your stress and anxiety low, goes a long way in helping you live and age well. Try various ways of lowering your stress. The effects of stress on your body are vast, ranging from premature ageing and wrinkles to a higher risk of heart disease. Use relaxation techniques, such as meditation, breathing exercises, and yoga. Spending quality time with friends and loved ones. Having meaningful relationships and a strong social network definitely improve mental and physical well-being and longevity. Don’t forget your furry loved ones, as having a pet has been linked to lower stress and blood pressure, reduced loneliness, and better moods.

Accept your age

There is no use in denying the age you are and where you are in life. Try to remain positive. Nobody wants to hang around a negative person. You are going to age whether you like it or not, so do things that you enjoy or learn some new activities. Challenge yourself.

Get enough sleep.

We cannot stress this enough. Good sleep is important for your physical and mental health. It also plays a role in your skin’s health. You should aim for seven to eight hours of sleep every night.

Do something for YOU.

Finding new and meaningful hobbies can help you maintain a sense of purpose and keep you engaged throughout the course of your life. People who engage in hobbies and leisure and social activities are happier, experience less depression, and live longer.

Meditate

Try some meditation. Being mindful is about acceptance and living in the moment by focusing on the present. This can improve focus on relationships. Stary calm and enjoy your later years.

We understand that growing older is a concern for many, but it really shouldn’t be. If you are taking care of your body, your skin and your mental health, you should age gracefully. It’s never too late to begin your health and wellness journey for a more youthful, radiant you.