Myth #1: Aging and Mental Decline Are Mutually Exclusive

While senility and mental decline are frequently linked to aging, they are frequently just acute reactions to other causes; getting older does not always mean losing mental capacity.

Things like various prescription medications for physical discomfort or dysfunction can frequently have mental side effects, but the mental decline doesn’t occur until a reasonably old age.

Additionally, a decline in mental clarity frequently has a lifestyle component and a medical component.

In retirement, there is often less intellectual stimulation, less challenge, and less social connection, which could affect one’s mental health.

The mental lethargy experienced by older populations who participate in social and intellectual activities differs from those who do not.

Myth #2: Growing Older is Accompanied by a Specific Set of Conditions

It is a complete misconception that becoming older means developing diseases, slowing down, losing your fun factor, thinking like an old fogey, being boring or slow, or essentially different from younger people.

Preconceptions and prejudices about aging are untrue and set the stage for a way of thinking that results in unsuccessful aging.

Even though you are older in years, you are the same person. You are only as old or young as you think you are!

Myth #3: We Will Continue To Take Medication for Age-Related Conditions

Medicine is similar to any stimulus or new circumstance we present to the body in that it will cause the body to react to make the necessary change.

Still, over time the body will adapt to reestablish homeostasis.

Similar to how we initially feel exhausted or worn out after working out, our bodies adapt over time, making the same exercise less complicated.

There appears to be a belief that as we age, taking medications and following prescriptions is just a fact of life and that any ailment we have is static.

On the other hand, as time passes, we must continue to adjust our medications, lifestyle, nutrition, and other aspects for our bodies to continue to develop and stay active rather than become dependent on medications and enter a state of stasis, especially ones with potentially harmful side effects.

Myth #4: The Aging Process Is Accompanied by a Loss of Balance

A more honest way to phrase this is to state that everyone falls as they age. Although it may happen frequently, this is a mistaken assumption.

Elderly populations do decline, but this is mainly due to people discontinuing physical activity, eating poorly, and other lifestyle choices that, over time, weaken our physical capabilities.

Balance may be preserved throughout time with the right amount of exercise and training, but as we age, we tend to engage in less and less physical activity when we should be doing the same or even more.

Instead of considering falls a natural part of aging, this stimulation and ongoing challenge to our neuromuscular system help us maintain and improve balance.

Myth #5: Your Body Becomes Dehydrated as You Get Older

Although we naturally don’t require or drink as much water as we did when we were younger, dehydration is not inevitable and can be prevented.

There are various causes for this, but ultimately it comes down to the reality that we don’t drink as much water as we age.

This can lead to chronic dehydration, which doesn’t have to be the case.

We must stay hydrated as we age because water is an essential aspect of human life and affects practically every system in the body in some way.

Myth #6: Limited and Reserved Activity Is Required

Most people, particularly in Western culture, abruptly discontinue or significantly reduce their physical activity in later life and never resume it.

There is a paradigm that says as we age, we should switch to low-intensity exercises because we are too frail or old to work with intensity.

This couldn’t be further from the truth; in reality, we typically haven’t kept up our physical activity and training to be at a level that allows us to engage in those activities.

Even though we may not be at the peak of our physical abilities, if we have kept up our training, there is no reason why we cannot continue to engage in vigorous or intense physical activities.

In addition, resistance training’s positive effects on bone density, metabolism, inflammation, balance, and other factors suggest that we should stay active rather than just being able to.

Age is no excuse for inactivity; a young and energetic mind comes from an active body!

Dispelling the Aging Myths!

These aging myths stop people from enjoying their golden years. No matter our age, there is no reason why we can’t live a happy and fulfilling life!

“Getting old is like climbing a mountain; you get a little out of breath, but the view is much better!” — Ingrid Bergman

The post Best 6 Aging Myths Revisited appeared first on Create the Best Life.

There are people like Iris Apfel, a fashion icon who just turned 100 years old this month. There are people like Oscar-nominated Morgan Freeman, who is still a lead actor at 84 years old.

Wouldn’t you love to know how people like these are able to not only maintain a youthful spirit but don’t think aging is a stigma?

The secret to aging is having the mentality of loving yourself no matter what others may consider as a problem.

This self-confidence doesn’t just show up. In order to feel good about aging, self-care has to be an important part of your daily routine.

How to Begin Self-Care

Before anything else, it must start in the mind. Vanity is worthless if you have flawless skin with not a wrinkle in sight, but you have an unhealthy mind.

Research has shown that having a positive mindset may actually increase your life span.

The reason for this is that positive thinking will decrease the amount of stress and depression we could experience which is another way to defy aging with self-care.

In fact, when it comes to stress, it has a very major impact on our immune system. This means you could be more susceptible to diseases including the common cold!

This makes it the perfect reason to start replacing any negative thoughts with positive thoughts!

How Can Positive Thinking be Self-Care?

You have millions of thoughts every single day. If most of those thoughts are negative, you are going to start believing they are true.

What is the number one step to self-care? Combining positive self-talk with self-affirmations! It is important to remind yourself on a daily basis just how valuable you are.

You might want to consider writing down what you appreciate about yourself each day. Maybe start a gratitude journal!

How Taking Care of Your Body is Self-Care

Did you know that the foods we eat have a large impact on how we age? You can take care of your body by limiting the amount of alcohol you drink.

Also, eating a lot of processed or fast foods regularly is going to cause any number of health problems. As well this type of eating can lead to being overweight.

One way to practice self-care each day is to use mindfulness when you eat.

It is very important to be cognizant of making good choices each day that will benefit you in the long run and result in you being able to defy aging with self-care.

Another way to take care of your body is to make sure you get enough exercise each week.

Yoko Ono, who is 88 years old had this to say:

There is no reason why you can’t have some fun when it comes to physical self-care. You can go to a spa and enjoy a relaxing massage. Or you can take a bubby bath in the privacy of your home.

There are many ways to do self-care. Enjoy a weekly face mask, give yourself a manicure and a pedicure, have a nap, or go for a walk in nature.

All of these experiences can offer you time to relax and let go of some stress.

Clothing Can be Self-Care

You don’t have to spend a fortune on design clothes to look good. Just dress for your age, the type of body you have, and your activities.

When we look good, we feel good about ourselves.

As well you don’t have to spend hours getting dressed.

Just make sure you are neat, clean, and presentable which can do wonders for our self-confidence.

Final Thoughts

There is really no mystery when it comes to feeling youthful. In fact, we have the solutions to being young through our actions.

When we participate in self-care on a regular basis, our age will be nothing but a number, because we will have been able to defy aging with self-care.

Exercise to Defy Aging

Everyone wants to look and feel more youthful as they age but there is an important step in doing so. That step is exercise. That is because exercise has many benefits that can completely change a person’s life.

Our bodies were not meant to be sedentary and getting up and being active is essential to good health, overall well-being, and is another way to defy aging.

Some benefits of exercising are:

• You will have an increase in energy.
• You will be able to develop a healthy heart, mind, and body.
• Your overall appearance will improve, and
• There will be less stress in your life.

Increasing Energy For Longer Lasting Productivity

According to sports specialist Robert Gotlin, (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine):

In fact, exercise increases energy in both the mind and body for longer-lasting productivity. Energy keeps us going and it can really help to improve every aspect of life.

Exercise Means Being Strong and Able

Overall, exercising on a regular basis makes us feel strong and able, both physically and mentally. This is mainly because exercise is a challenge.

As a result, those feelings can be of great service as we age.

Exercise for a Healthy Heart, Mind, and Body

Heart – The American Heart Association has recommended that we exercise at least five days a week for at least thirty minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise.

Cardiovascular health is important for being able to have a long life. Our hearts are a vital organ and a muscle that needs to be exercised too.

Mind – Cardiovascular exercise not only benefits the heart but the mind as well.

When our bodies release endorphins which are hormones that are secreted in the brain and nervous system that results in physiological effects.

The result is a euphoric feeling of well-being! Exercise is a great benefit as it has been proven to relieve anxiety and depression.

Body – Research at the Cooper Clinic in Dallas has found that you can add at least six years to your life if you do thirty minutes of cardio three to five days a week.

Other benefits of exercise are that you will have stronger lungs, be able to lose some fat, and even lower risks for cancers, and other diseases.

You Will Look Better

No one has ever said they didn’t want to look better! We are all striving to improve our appearance. In fact, even those who do not put in any effort want to look better physically.

We all want a flatter stomach, bigger muscles, more energy, have better-looking skin. These are most definitely bonuses for getting fit and active!

A 2013 issue of the Journal of Health Psychology stated:

It is important to note, that once again the benefits to exercise are limitless.

You can get into shape starting today. Just pick up some weights if you want to see improvement in the mirror and your mind!

You Can Relieve Stress!

Stress is so plentiful these days. In fact, if we don’t take time for ourselves, we can really wear ourselves out, and exercise is a great stress reliever.

Of course, lifestyle changes are important for stress relief as well.

So, make sure to manage those things that cause unneeded stress.

When combined with exercise, you will have a recipe for better health.

How Well Will You Age?

Do you want to defy the process of aging? Now that you know exercise is crucial to decelerating the process you will need to take action daily.

Jump on the treadmill, join the gym, or go for a daily jog or walk! Anything that gets your blood flowing is sufficient exercise.

You can relieve daily stresses, prevent illnesses, increase energy and improve your physique all in one with exercise!

Whatever you do, never quit because you can have the life of your dreams and your health is an essential part of defying aging.

I’m sure you want to be around for a long long time so that you can share special moments and experiences with the people you love!

A Self-Care Action Plan Video:

Here is the link to the book mentioned in the video: Codependent No More!

Final Thoughts!

There are many different things we can do to defy aging. We can defy aging with self-care and we can defy aging with exercise.

It is important to take some time each day to find some ways to fit this into your life.

You will find you love life more, will look better, have more energy, and have the ability to enjoy your life long into your senior years!

The post Defy Aging with Self-Care appeared first on Create the Best Life.