This Wednesday: Six tips for preparing yourself for a vigorous, healthy old age.

Every Wednesday is Tip Day.
This Wednesday: Six tips to prepare yourself for a vigorous, healthy old age.

“Old age ain’t no place for sissies,” H. L. Mencken proclaimed.

We all want to be energetic and pain-free for our whole lives, but just watching how older people walk down the street (or are pushed in a wheelchair) is a reminder of how differently people age.

Some people look great and move easily; other people who are about the same age are obviously frail.

One of my happiness-project resolutions is to take steps now that will lay the groundwork for my life decades from now. Studies show that even modest changes can have a dramatic effect on health and longevity.

Here are six tips I follow that will, I hope, set me up to be strong and healthy in my old age:

1. Exercise regularly. There are different theories to explain why aerobic exercise promotes brain regeneration and wards off decline, but for whatever reason, it does have that effect.

2. Yoga. Falls are a major danger to older adults, and working on flexibility and balance means that we’re less likely to fall.

3. Strength-training. We naturally lose muscle as we age, and working out with weights helps offset that process. I started working out with weights fairly recently, and I've been astounded by the difference it has made in my body. I thought I was one of those people who just couldn't develop muscles; turns out I was one of those people who didn't have a very effective exercise regimen.

4. Wear sunscreen every day. Dermatologists agree that this is the best way to ward off wrinkles. (Okay, this is about vanity, not frailty, but still important to me.)

5. Floss and go to the dentist. My father is haunted by a line from the movie “Peggy Sue Got Married,” when one character remarks that she wished she’d taken better care of her teeth. I hate to admit this, but I've always been pretty lax about tooth-care, beyond brushing -- but I’ve reformed.

6. Act happy, be happy. Montaigne observed, “It seems to me that in old age our souls are subject to more troublesome ailments and weaknesses than in youth.” No one wants to age into a querulous, isolated person. Being happy is a safeguard against many ills. Having fun, making time for friends, and keeping up with family traditions are important steps to happiness now and forever.

I don’t need to quit smoking, take blood pressure medication, lose a bunch of weight, or keep my cholesterol down, but these are obviously important steps to take if necessary.

A key to all these steps is being able to stick to your resolutions. If keeping resolutions is a challenge, you might be interested in this post.

I'm sure there are many other things I should do...any suggestions?

*
New to the Happiness Project? Consider subscribing to my RSS feed: Subscribe to this blog's feed. Or sign up to get email updates in the box at the top righthand corner.
If you're starting your own happiness project, please join the Happiness Project Group on Facebook to swap ideas. It's easy; it's free.

Comments

[Mrs. Micah]

Good tips. My dad has almost entirely false teeth and has had to undergo several expensive and painful surgeries to get posts put in to hold on the bridges. Apparently real false teeth would crack his already frail jaw.

Did this get me brushing and flossing like a crazy lady? Yes.

[Helen Jane]

I heard Bill Clinton once say something like, "you can either become wise or cranky in your old age, but never both."

(I'm going to shoot for wise.)

Thanks for the tips!

[Tracey]

Keep learning so your brain will stay sharp and you'll have less chance of developing dementia and related brain disfunction. It's not only good for you, but a caring act you can do now for the people that will take care of you then.

[CSS]

Don't ever believe that you're old. As soon as my grandparents turned 80, it was like they suddenly realized they were old. Their health took a sharp decline in the space of one year.

[Jean Browman--Cheerful Monk]

Don't take yourself too seriously. Develop a sense of humor. Reconnect with the wonder and excitement of childhood. http://cheerfulmonk.com/2007/08/13/its-a-magical-world/

[Annie]

I totally agree with these tips! Especially about Yoga and taking care of your teeth.

It seems like our lives slip by and we spend way too much time being "busy" and not enough time taking care of ourselves and making sure that we can enjoy our lives from beginning to end.

[Keely H.]

Develop an absorbing passion such as writing, volunteering, singing in a choir, quilting, even an obsessive love for a band...

For example, my 80 year old grandma is a groupie for a Celtic rock band called Tempest. If they come to Northern California and she misses a concert, they call her to see if everything's okay, 'cause she usually makes a point of being in the front row at all of their gigs.

The point is to have something to look forward to, something to tie you to the world. Many of my friends' grandparents didn't cultivate engrossing interests before they retired. The result was ennui leading to listlessness finally culminating in decreased mental and physical health.

[adora]

My father says: before 40, genetics is responsible for how good you look; after 40, it's all your own responsibility. Which he advice us to take good care of our bodies.

I volunteered at a senior center teaching drawings and crafts. I find that the ones who try new things and keep learning stay healthier and happier. (a.k.a. atmosphere of growth) The ones who act happy have more friends and make people around them happy.

I also advice: 1) Don't smoke or quit smoking. 2) Eat fruits and vegetables.

[beth_nc]

This idea goes along with some above comments about learning, but my suggestion would be -- try new things.

For example, every year, go someplace you've never been before. You don't have to go far or anywhere exotic (though that's fun!), but even going to see or do something new in your home state or home town can be a great experience.

I think such activities keep people engaged in their surroundings and help maintain confidence.

[Bex]

"4. Wear sunscreen every day. Dermatologists agree that this is the best way to ward off wrinkles. (Okay, this is about vanity, not frailty, but still important to me.)"

Being an Ozzy I beg to differ on the vanity thing. Skin cancer will make you very, very frail.

[nicola]

I think this must also be included: in order to get optimal nutrition for our bodies - we need nutritional supplements. The vast majority of problems associated with aging are actually degenerative problems due to inadequate nutrition. The a ridiculously high percentage of degenerative diseases can be prevented with complete, early, optimal nutrition. Many difficulties we write off as consequences of growing older are not unavoidable.
I've spent a large portion of time investigating this. And I have found it to be true. And once I realized that, I began investigating nutritional supplementation companies. There are many with questionable products/practices. I found a few quality ones. But the best I found (for both myself and my children) is USANA Health Sciences. If you'd be interested in learning more - i'd love to share info with you. Email me: mrstjshelby@yahoo.com

This idea (the Happiness Project) is fascinating. Thanks for sharing your journey with us!

[Maura]

I'm a big fan of drinking a lot of water every day. It bolsters your skin's natural defenses, keeps your digestive track in order and helps clear your body of toxins. If anything, it gives you more energy.

I drink about a gallon a day and I'm sure that will make a difference in a few decades.

[Carm Scott]

Someone mentioned it above but I want to reiterate the importance of eating plenty of fruits and veggies. There are lots of good nutrients in those to ward off cancer and heart disease and keep your memory sharp.

[Tom]

Eat foods that are naturally very colorful, and are high in antioxidants. Organic foods are very good, and as someone suggested, plenty of water.

[Matt]

Eat Good.
Exercise Lots.
Play Hard.
Have Fun.
Live a morally-principled life.
Believe in God. Repent of past mistakes.
Believe in yourself and your abilities.

[Matt]

One More... Forget Yourself and Serve Others.
The most miserable people I know, and unhappy people I know, are those people who think too much of their own selves and what "They want."
You'll have more friends if you think of your friends and their needs, show genuine concern, be a genuine friend, by focusing on their needs. Your's will come in turn but your needs are never the primary focus in a happy fulfilling life.

[Gerald]

"I don’t need to quit smoking, take blood pressure medication, lose a bunch of weight, or keep my cholesterol down,.."
Most Americans do actually; Living in America you might not realize how bad the big 3 are: weight/pressure/cholesterol

[Ann Teliczan]

Find something to do that you love and make time for it every day. When I started making my art a bigger priority it made me a happier person.

Also, thinking positive and believing you can be healthy.

[LD]

Sunscreen eliminates your body's ability to create vitamin D. You can ingest vitamin D, but most of it is produced in your skin with the help of UV rays from the sun. vitamin D deficiencies can lead to osteomalacia (weakness in muscles, joints, and bones). Vitamin D is created by using bad Cholesterol meaning getting some sun can also lower your cholesterol levels.

I'm not saying sunscreen is a bad thing, but using it "Every Day" seems excessive, and excess is rarely beneficial.

[Annie]

Great ideas, especially about volunteering. Some of my heroes are friends in their 80s who volunteer for a range of causes, ranging from art to science to person-to-person charitable project. The key seems to be that they are passionate about their causes.
Be somewhat careful about the nutritional supplements; good advice above to do lots of homework first. A recent study from a highly respected biology-of-aging lab showed that low-dose antioxidants fed to microscopic nematode worms (research models) made the worms live shorter-than-normal lives. What's it mean for us humans? Unknown yet, but the respected lead scientist of that study bypasses vitamin pills in favor of a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and veggies, and regular exercise.
And did anyone see that other recent study (scientists in California and Canada collaborated) showing that modest weight-bearing exericse actually made skeletal muscle in older adults become younger?
Bye -- time for me to get moving!

[bubbsie]

I would like to read your book on Winston Churchill, what is the publishers name?

[Limewire Music Downloads]

Thanks boysc764dfc242614fdbabcda5720335809a