As you hit your 60s, there’s arguably immense pressure from conventional wisdom to take it easy. The latest and most credible research and claims from specialists slant sharply in another direction: keeping on the go and active both physically and cognitively can significantly enhance the quality of life and may even help people live longer. Here’s why you shouldn’t take it too easy as you age.
Get Moving
“Absolutely not – you shouldn’t slow down,” says Sir Muir Gray, 80, the former chief knowledge officer for the NHS. He is still actively involved in the Optimal Ageing Programme at Livelongerbetter.uk, stating, “as we get older, we need to become more active – physically and mentally.” Gray believes the normal biological process of aging does little to diminish one’s ability to care for oneself or to relate to others until well into one’s 90s. Activity can stimulate both independence and vivacity.
Question Your Assumptions on Aging
What you believe about aging matters. According to a study conducted by Yale School of Public Health, people who had positive perceptions of their own aging lived years an average of 22.6 years past the beginning of the study compared to the 15-year survival average for those who held negative views. Gray says, “Psychological fitness is just as important as physical fitness.” Keeping your mind challenged with a new language or volunteer work will help you stay sharp and optimistic.
The Need for Rest and Balance
On the other hand, rest is equally important as staying active. According to Carl Honoré, who wrote “In Praise of Slow and B(older): Making the Most of Our Longer Lives,” it is segregating the pace that matters most. “Resting enough is the cornerstone of a life well lived – at any age.” Honoré said. He added that rest must be moderated with activity to avert sloth-like tendencies that may lead to infirmity and loneliness.
Exercise Regularly
Regular exercise is key to keeping you healthy. Gray suggests focusing on the “four Ss”: stamina, strength, skill, and suppleness. As a way to keep fit, you can add a daily 30-minute brisk walk and a regimen of 12-minute light weight lifting, stretching and balance exercises to your routine. “Just make your exercises part of your daily routine,” says Gray.
Don’t Go to Bed
Health problems can make a long period of rest seem necessary, but such rest brings on what is called “deconditioning syndrome,” a dramatic fall in muscle strength, especially in people over 70. Gray encourages getting out of bed and moving as soon as possible, noting that while rest certainly has a role in the acute phase of illness, it should be minimized to prevent loss of function.
Reconnect with Meaning
As we grow older, roles change, and sometimes with that change, our day-to-day activities no longer give us a sense of meaning. “Most of us feel exhausted not because we do too much,” says Simon Alexander Ong, author of “Energize: Make the Most of Every Moment,” “but because we do too little of what brings us joy.” Energize yourself by finding your purpose again, and you will discover a significant reason to get up in the morning.
Stay Connected
The time spent with loved ones has some amazing physical and mental benefits to health. The way of socializing can change the biochemistry of our brains and can even alleviate physical pain. Companionship may also be provided by your pet animals. This minimizes stress and hence supports your well-being.
Live Optimistically
Optimism can be a key component to living longer and much happier. A study followed nearly 1,000 people between the ages of 65-85. The results were that staying positive when faced with challenges helps to build “stress resiliency.” It prevents feelings of being overwhelmed by the creation of stress hormones in both mind and body, provoking a variety of health conditions like depression and diabetes. Always look on the bright side and focus on the good things in life.
Embrace a balanced life, including exercise, mental stimulation, social engagement, and good attitude. With that, you’ll be well on your way toward keeping up a healthy and happy lifestyle into the older years. You can feel free to cast off some traditional concepts of aging stay active, involved, and above all, enjoy the ride.