I will never forget taking a kickboxing class and having the instructor tell us that we had to “use it or lose it” while she was making us do balancing exercises.  As we get older we are at risk of losing many things. However, some of these can be avoidable if we just keep using what we have and even develop new skills.

Look around you. The people who have aged the best are the ones that keep active. They get up every morning, regardless of their aches and pains and keep going. They regularly incorporate exercise into their daily living through golf, pickle ball, tennis, and softball.  They do zumba, water aerobics, yoga, pilates, and other activities.  The National Institute of Health says that exercise is good for people of ALL ages. In fact most people hurt their health much more by not exercising.  If you do not exercise you will lose endurance, flexibility, balance and strength.

We need to exercise our brain as well as our bodies.  With different tasks you use different parts of your brain.  For best results vary your brain exercises.  Plan and do complex tasks, memory exercises and brain games. Avoid substances that stress your brain such as alcohol, caffeine and nicotine.

Don’t forget your relationships. You need to continue building upon these even more as you get older. Like a lot of people I have difficulty socializing.  I would rather stay home with a good book then go to an event with two other people or forty other people.   However, this is the third key to graceful  aging.

When you isolate yourself you create loneliness which then puts undue stress on the body and mind. This then lowers your immune system and opens you up to illness.  It is okay not to look forward to going places that you will need to be social. We often don’t look forward to exercising either. You just have to go and do it. Once you get there, put on a smile and take interest in others. It is amazing at how good you will feel when you leave.  It is really quite simple - when you make someone else feel happy, you will feel happy.

Studies show that aging occurs more rapidly when we no longer feel useful. There is absolutely no reason to not feel useful in today’s society. There are so many places that will welcome you as a volunteer. These places will love to have your expertise, your hands, your voice and your smile.

Age gracefully - combine the exercise of your body and mind with social activities.  Feel and look younger – get out and move!