Getting Older: Avoid These Habits for Better Health
By Genevieve Cunningham
Everyone wants to get older. We want to grow old with our spouses and travel in retirement and enjoy life for as long as possible. Sounds good, right? But not everything about aging is all fun and games. In fact, the actual aging process can be really hard on our bodies and minds. And if we don't make good, healthy choices, we can make it even harder on ourselves. Luckily, there are multiple ways to make the aging process easier, and one of the easiest things that you can do is simply avoid these traps. To maintain good health as each year passes, take a look at these tips to avoid (plus some tips to try!) starting today.
The Television Trap
Television is great entertainment. It's a way to escape the monotony of everyday life. But if we're not careful, we can turn this entertainment into a seriously troubling habit. Television comes with two major downfalls. First, the screen isn't good for our eyes or our brain. That's why it's so important to use screens in moderation -- which we don't do at all in our modern world. Second, television promotes a sedentary lifestyle, which isn't good for our bodies or long-term well-being. What should we do? We should set a time limit on TV. Maybe you only watch for an hour or so per day. And then to make it productive, stretch or move while you watch. This gives you the best of both worlds and helps you avoid the trap as you age.
Late Night Snacking
Everyone loves a good late night snack. There's something about it that is so satisfying. But this is a habit that's really easy to get into and not so easy to get out of. The problem with late night snacking is that it puts calories into our bodies just before we sleep. We have zero opportunity to burn those calories. If you want to stay healthy, give up the late night snack or trade unhealthy options for things like vegetables and herbal tea.
Avoiding Self-Care
Lack of self-care is incredibly common. For some reason, we're just not taught its importance when we're young, and so we leave this little habit out of our lives as adults. But self-care is extremely important in our journey of wellness. We have to listen to and heed the advice of our own bodies and minds. The solution? Carve out just a few hours per week to engage in self-care, whatever that looks like for you. The more you do it, the easier it gets, and the more benefits you'll gain from the practice.
Getting older is going to happen, and honestly, we're glad! We want to get older and experience more life. But the process isn't easy, and some of our bad habits make it even harder. Avoid these pitfalls to make the aging process easier so that you can enjoy life and good health for years to come.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Folsom, Calif.