Exercising our mind, body, and soul is essential to aging successfully, and good news! – there’s tremendous joy in the process! Reclaiming our health on all fronts is a second-half win when we dedicate ourselves to Step 11 of a workable Grand Plan.
Most of us know it’s smart to challenge our brains with problems, information, games, learning, and experiences. Part of the prescription for a healthy mind is to read more, solve more crossword puzzles, jumbles, and equations. According to the National Institute on Aging, scientific research suggests:
- Taking care of your physical health
- Managing high blood pressure
- Eating healthy foods
- Being physically active
- Keeping your mind active
- Staying connected with social activities
- Managing stress
- And reducing risks to cognitive health
The body part of the health equation is a little easier to understand and manage. Our physical vessels run better when used, have good gas in the tank, and receive periodic maintenance. So, we should exercise daily, eat well instead of polluting ourselves with toxic substances, and manage our health. That’s pretty much it.
What we put in our tanks is just as important as how we use it. Much of this is intuitive. We feel better when we make healthier choices, eat less processed food and try to stick to whole foods. The National Council on Aging also suggests “filling half of your plate with vegetables, a quarter of your plate with whole grains, and the rest with lean protein like poultry, fish, and beans; creating a healthy-eating meal plan ahead of time; drinking water with your meals and eat water-rich foods; focusing on getting enough protein to prevent muscle loss; eating fiber-rich foods.”
Effective mind, body, and soul care requires putting your body to work, maintaining a healthy and balanced diet, resting, strengthening spiritual practices, volunteering, and maintaining positive relationships. With some dedication, our second half has real legs for a successful and healthy finish.
Susanna Barton has worked as a professional writer in Jacksonville for nearly 30 years. Her book Grand Plans: How to Mitigate Geri-Drama in 20 Easy Steps and its accompanying workbook, the Grand Planner, are available in local stores and on Amazon. For more information, visit www.mygrandplans.com.
