Forty is the New Thirty: 5 Tips for Staying Healthy at Any Age

Note: This article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any medical conditions and is not a substitute for consulting with your personal healthcare provider.

There are many simple habits you can incorporate into your daily lifestyle to help you feel great and look your best from mid-life and beyond. Here are 5 tips from experts for staying healthy and feeling young at any age.

Maintain an Active Lifestyle

Our first tip for healthy aging is to get moving!
According to a 2019 article by Healthline How to Live Your Best Life as You Age, regular exercise lowers your risk for potentially life-threatening diseases such as heart disease and cancer, and helps you maintain your mobility for longer. It also improves sleep, skin health, bone health, and mood. Even moderate exercise can make a big difference in your overall health and wellness.

The Department of Health & Human Services recommends:

• 2.5 to 5 hours per week of moderate-intensity exercise, 1.25 to 2.5 hours per week of vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise, or a combination of the two.
• Muscle strengthening activities of moderate intensity or greater, that involve all major muscle groups, two or more days per week.

Aerobic exercises are varied and can be quite relaxing and enjoyable. Some examples of aerobic exercises include:

• Walking
• Swimming
• Cycling
• Elliptical

Strength training

Strength-training is the best way to build strong muscles and support bone health. Recent studies on the subject show you can even build muscle tone well into your sixties, a fact that puts a long held misconception to rest. Incorporate some light weight-lifting into your workout routines, focusing on quality over quantity.

Add These Superfoods to Your Diet

It’s become something of a buzzword in the last few years, but the fact is, the power of superfoods is far from mythical. While there is no single food that holds the magic key that will turn back the clock of time, these nutrient-rich foods can have a positive impact on your health. Here are a few notable superfoods as mentioned in a 2023 Healthline article, 16 Superfoods that are Worthy of The Title to add to your shopping list:

• Blueberries: this low-calorie berry is packed with vitamins and antioxidants, and reduces DNA damage which may help protect against aging and cancer.
  Kale: and other dark leafy greens are high in vitamins, minerals and fiber. Adding greens to your diet may help boost brain health and lower your risk of high blood pressure, heart disease and cancer.
• Kefir: and yogurt are full of prebiotics and probiotics to support healthy digestion and reduce inflammation. Because kefir and yogurt are made from milk, they also contain protein, calcium B vitamins and potassium.
• Monounsaturated Fats: These are fats found in cooking oils like olive, coconut and avocado oils. MUFAs work to lower LDL or bad cholesterol while raising HDL, or good cholesterol levels.

Take Care of your Skin

Treating your skin with care is about more than vanity. In a 2015 article in News in Health titled, Keep Your Skin Healthy, dermatologist, Dr. Heidi Kong explains that the skin is our first physical barrier from potentially hazardous elements in the environment such as water, microorganisms, ultraviolet light and chemical trauma. Taking good care of your skin is vital for your overall health and wellbeing.

Keep your skin healthy and youthful

Our experts recommend nourishing your skin with these choices from your Market of Choice Whole Health department:

• Weleda Skin Food healing cream
• Andalou Vitamin C Brightening products and Daily SPF Facial Lotion. Be sure to always use SPF when using vitamin C.
• Orgaid Yogurt Sheet Mask
• Ancient Nutrition Multi Collagen Proteins and Bone Broths

Practice Mindfulness for Stress Reduction

In stressful moments, your body release hormones like cortisol and adrenaline that, over time, and with too much exposure, can have serious effects on your physical and mental wellbeing.

According to The American Psychological Association, mindfulness reduces stress by calming the part of the brain responsible for attention and emotion regulation.

There are many mindfulness activities you can practice to help you stay grounded and in touch with a gentler approach to life’s stressful events, such as:

• Yoga
• Meditation
• Nature Walks

Enhance your mindfulness practice

Getting into a mindful state can be easier and more enjoyable when you set the tone. Visit our Whole Health department for products that can enhance your mindfulness practice. You’ll find locally sourced incense, essential oils, CBD supplements and creams for relaxation, and more, like these choices:

• Worthy Salts bath salts
• Mad Sass Soaps lotions
• CV Sciences THC-Free products

Get Some Shut-Eye

According to an article in News in Health, Good Sleep for Good Health, sleep is your reset button, preparing your brain to learn, remember, and create. Many Other systems in your body, such as blood vessels and the immune system, use sleep as a time for repair too.
The same article also reports that doctors recommend adults get 7-8 hours of uninterrupted sleep each night and keep a consistent sleep schedule.

Promote healthy sleep

Restful sleep comes easier when you can relax. Our Whole Health experts recommend Medterra CBD Sleep Gummies for natural relaxation. For chocolate lovers, Good Day Chocolates makes a delightful Sleep and Calm Chocolates collection that’s very tasty!

The Takeaway

Aging is inevitable, but incorporating healthier choices into your daily routine can help you age gracefully and feel more energized.
Maintain an active lifestyle, incorporate superfoods into your diet, take care of your skin, practice mindfulness to manage stress, and get better sleep.