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7 KEYS TO HEALTHY AGING

You can't stop getting older. But you do have some control over your health and quality of life as you age. Scroll on to learn seven things you can do that may help you live the highest quality of life for the longest time possible.

Sustain your social circle

Social connections offer us emotional and practical support as we get older. Unfortunately, our social networks tend to shrink as we age. To sustain your social circle, make a point of checking in with old friends and loved ones regularly. Also, be open to meeting new people and expanding your circle. You might do this by volunteering or attending community events where you could make new friends.

Get regular checkups

Doctor's visits shouldn't happen only when you're not feeling well. Many health problems have no symptoms at first. Getting routine checkups and screenings helps your doctor detect them early, when they may be easier to treat.

Keep up a few good habits

Prioritize regular exercise; a healthy, well-balanced diet; and plenty of sleep. These essential habits may reduce your risk for obesity and other chronic diseases, as well as help you stay strong and independent as you grow older.

Let go of unhealthy habits

Just as healthy habits are important to keep, there are some habits that you should shed if you want to improve your odds of aging well. Smoking is one of these. Even if you've smoked for many years, quitting can improve your health and add quality years to your life. It's important to know the risks of alcohol too. Alcohol can harm organs throughout the body and make the brain age faster.

Take care of your mental health

Having good mental health is critical to a good quality of life. You can help protect your mental well-being by managing stress in your daily life and learning to recognize signs of depression. These may include sadness, loss of interest in your usual activities and trouble sleeping. Remember, mental health concerns are common and can affect anyone. They're also treatable. Reach out to your doctor if you need help.

Be a lifelong learner

Learning new skills may help sharpen your memory. Staying curious also keeps life interesting. The new skill you learn could be something big like an instrument or a language, but it could also be something smaller like a new game or craft.

Explore a hobby

Whether it's a lifelong love or a new area of passion, having a hobby can add joy to your life and contribute to your well-being as you get older.

BUST A FEW AGING MYTHS

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