Age ain’t nothing but a number, am I right? Amen. It can be hard to think back to the way things used to be. The aches and pains may have been a little less frequent, there may have been slightly fewer lines on your face, and your memory might have been a little sharper.
And even if you’re not noticing the symptoms of aging yet, you may get a little bit of added anxiety with each passing year. But regardless of your age, there are some things you can do to help ensure you age as healthy as possible. Each trip around the sun doesn’t have to make you “older” when you focus on biological age.
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Anti-aging means a bunch of things. It encompasses a mentality and acceptance that yes, you aren’t 20 anymore. But it’s mainly about living well to protect your body and mind so you can enjoy a high quality of life. Anti-aging is about more than serums and lotions, and about a holistic approach that encourages optimal function and overall happiness.
Here’s a checklist that can help you live your best life possible.
- Skincare: Skin is the largest organ your body has, so taking care of it plays a role in overall health. It regulates your temperature, protects you from the elements, and allows you to feel sensations. Take care of it with regular screenings to check its health, wear sunscreen, and stay hydrated. Using gentle cleansers and moisturizers are helpful too.
- Exercise: More activity lowers the risk of disease and has the potential to regenerate cells. Getting 2.5 to 5 hours of moderate cardiovascular activity, up to 2.5 hours of vigorous exercise, and weight training can all help you stay biologically younger.
- Pay attention to what you eat: More fruit, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats. Less processed, sugary food—you know the drill.
- Spend time with loved ones and pursue activities/experiences you enjoy.
- Get enough sleep
- Stay hydrated to improve skin appearance, nutrient absorption, brain performance, and energy.
There you have it! Staying young can be that easy! By focusing on your biological age rather than your chronological age, you can continue to enjoy life, do the things you love, and limit the aches, pains, and fatigue most associate with getting older.
Mohan Garikiparithi got his degree in medicine from Osmania University (University of Health Sciences). He practiced clinical medicine for over a decade before he shifted his focus to the field of health communications. During his active practice he served as the head of the Dept. of Microbiology in a diagnostic centre in India. On a three-year communications program in Germany, Mohan developed a keen interest in German Medicine (Homoeopathy), and other alternative systems of medicine. He now advocates treating different medical conditions without the use of traditional drugs. An ardent squash player, Mohan believes in the importance of fitness and wellness.
