Healthy aging for your mind, body and spirit

When we think of keeping our mind active, one thing to remember is to always be learning. Even if we aren’t always retaining the same information, it’s beneficial to your memory to learn something new every day. There are many ways to remain mentally active:

• Take a class on a new subject
• Start a new hobby
• Organize weekly card games
• Volunteer for a local charity

Start some of these activities sooner rather than later. Though we think of geriatric medicine starting at 65, creating a routine of healthy activity can begin in your 30s, 40s or 50s. This will set a lifestyle that your mind recognizes as routine.

Though our muscles are the first thing we start to see decline as we age, that doesn’t mean we should end all physical activity at 50. Remaining active is an important part of healthy aging, because it helps our balance and agility, which can prevent falls. A fall can lead to other problems, like broken bones and concussions.

Marathon runners at age 25 may not be able to run 26.2 miles in a single stretch at age 65, but some can! However, being able to walk regularly around the block or even in one-mile loops is a good start. Other healthy activities include:

• Water aerobics or swimming
• Yoga
• Tai chi
• Senior fitness classes
• Low-impact strength training

Just 30 minutes of exercise each day, at any age, can help ward off diseases like high blood pressure and diabetes. For older patients, maintaining exercise as part of a daily routine is one of the biggest keys to avoiding falls.

Doing activities that make you happy and feel good is important as we age, too. Having an outside activity to focus on helps ward off depression and maintain life balance.

Making your spirit happy could include joining a social club or even a spiritual group at your church. Find a local senior center that schedules regular outings if you enjoy traveling or socializing with others.

Be sure to schedule regular “appointments” to talk to family members and neighbors, even those far away. Schedule a weekly time to talk to your grandkids on the phone or computer video chats about their school or hobbies.