November 15 - Top 10 Tips to age well

Ageing well can seem like a challenge when you’re young, but there are some easy ways of making your silver years the best years of your life! Below are our Top 10 tips to age well:

1) Keep moving

You don’t need to hit the gym every day, moving can just be walking (our countryside is amazing for that), going to a yoga class, tai chi, aqua aerobics or dance. All these help you work on your balance, which is important to avoid falls, for example. Ballroom dance also sends oxygen to your brain and reduces the risk of stroke, what’s not to like about it? And you get to meet lovely people too! You don’t need to move a lot, just 20-30 minutes a day are enough to keep your body active.

2) Eat healthy, 3 times a day

Make sure to eat fruit and vegetable, especially those with plenty of vitamin C like oranges, strawberries, cabbage, pepper, fennel or spinach. Try to vary what you eat and eat a bit of everything, from nuts and seeds (antioxidants) to oily food for Omega 3. Reducing your salt intake helps reduce your blood pressure, and making sure to eat the right fat will ensure your cholesterol levels remain within healthy limits.

3) Eat out or invite people over for lunch/dinner

We generally eat better when we dine with other people, and having company makes lunch and dinner much more enjoyable. Chatting also helps keep the brain active, and you can end the meal with a nice game of Scrabble, which is great for memory.

4) Keep your mind stimulated

Our memory generally isn't as good as it used to be when we were younger, but there is no reason to just accept this. Stimulating our brains through crosswords, scrabble and other mind games helps exercise our memory. When you walk you can also do some memory games like trying to find 5 yellow objects and try to remember them once you’re back home.

5) Change your routine

Changing from your routine stimulates brain activity. This can be as simple as trying a new route when you visit your family and friends, using new ingredients to cook meals or trying out new recipes.

6) Get one pleasure a day

Do something you like at least once a day, be it combing your dog, eating some chocolate, planning a trip or listening to music.

7) Get 15 minutes of rest a day

Take time for yourself, no matter how hectic or busy you are. Take 15 minutes to rest, breathe and relax. Find a place where you can enjoy some peace and quiet and go there for a few moments, away from the bustle of life.

8) Use memory aids

There is no need to fret about forgetting things, it happens at every age. An easy way to make sure you don’t forget birthdays or appointments is to make lists, and to have a note board in your hall or in the kitchen where you write everything you need to do and don’t want to forget. You can also put post-it reminders on the fridge. And in order to find your keys, glasses, wallet and such be sure to always place them at the same spot.

9) Make your house safe

No one is safe from falls, but you can do your best to prevent them by tidying up your home: rooms and stairwells should be well lit, corridors should be rid of clutter, and you can use slip-resistant rugs in the bathtub.

10) Meet people and stay socially active

When growing older it is essential to stay socially active, to keep seeing friends, neighbours and family. Going out and meeting people is important to avoid isolation, to keep active and to keep your brain working.

Many seniors are full of life, and keeping active is the secret for joyful, healthy silver years. It does take more effort than when we were 20, but it is just as rewarding, if not more. Retirement is the time to enjoy life to its fullest so let’s seize the day!