There is no running away from growing old. However, the good news is people are living longer now than ever before in view of the medical advancements and healthier lifestyles that, thankfully, the pandemic has made most of us resort to to strengthen immunity and stay safe. The average life expectancy in America is rising. But the fact is it is all the more gratifying to reach old age healthy and fit. When you feel healthy and happy, the increased lifespan becomes all the more rewarding.

This blog aims to discuss the various ways you can get the most out of life with increasing age:

You must keep your body in good shape- This starts with maintaining your weight in a healthy range, which automatically cuts risk for conditions like diabetes and hypertension. As you know these are life-threatening chronic diseases, so better work towards keeping them from developing. Just shedding 5-10 percent of your body weight (if you are obese) significantly lengthens your life.

Maintain oral hygiene since bacteria from your mouth can enter the bloodstream, and can lead to a variety of conditions, including heart disease. Loss of vision can shorten your life significantly, so get your eyes checked from time to time. Breathing deeply will enable your lungs to work more efficiently as you grow old as the airways become less elastic and the diaphragm weakens (thus compromising the lungs’ oxygen intake capacity), which will help you stay active and healthy. Don’t forget your flu shot every year to keep complications of flu at bay.

Be careful with multiple prescriptions due to the higher risk for side effects and drug interactions with increasing age. It is important to get screened for cholesterol, blood glucose levels and hypertension from a young age itself, and also cancer. This will not just keep serious health issues at bay, but also drastically boost the chances of success of treatment options (on diagnosis of a condition).

Diet is the cornerstone of overall well-being- As you age, shift your focus from animal protein (red meat, dairy products like milk, cheese) to plant protein like whole grains, seeds and beans. Employ cooking methods like baking or grilling instead of frying. Steer clear of sugary drinks (more consumption increases likelihood of dying earlier). Stay hydrated. Practice portion control to keep a check on intake of calories. Cut back on alcohol. Opt for healthy snacks like nuts.

Indulge in physical activity daily- Staying active is at the center of a healthy lifestyle. Some good forms of exercises include walking, swimming, jogging, then there’s housework to carry out (form of light-intensity physical activity), you can also take part in a sport.

Find time to wind down- Taking a hot bath, visiting a sauna, receiving adequate sleep, interacting with loved ones, listening to nature, hunting for things you are grateful for in life- all are great ways to relax.