When you’re young and relatively healthy, it’s not always easy to make yourself look ahead to later in life. Who wants to think about being old, right? (And let’s be honest: what young person actually believes that they will ever be old?) But if you can bring yourself to give some thought to the ageing process at this stage in your life, you’re more likely to instil healthy practices to improve your long-term health and promote longevity.
These tips will help you adapt your youthful habits to enhance your life when you get older.
Boost Your Self-Esteem
High self-esteem has been shown to affect health outcomes by improving adherence to healthy habits in the long-term. If we feel healthy and energized, we’re more likely to keep doing all the good things we’re doing. For many of us, a big part of self-esteem comes down to feeling like we look good. That’s not to say that beauty standards should be given any thought at all: rather, it’s about feeling good about how you look, based on your own sense of self. Looking good helps you feel positive, which is one of the best ways to stay young at heart. Whether it’s taking time to condition your hair, or giving careful thought to choosing a nice outfit for a night out, taking care to look good is a great way to stay youthful and enhance your self-care regime.
Many health professionals are out there to help you feel good about how you look. For example, a personal trainer can help you keep your body fit and strong, which will also help you feel good about your physical appearance. Cosmetic Dentist, Dr Fadi Yassmin is another fantastic example of a clinician who cares for your health but can also help boost your self-esteem.
Get Your Diet Sorted
You’ve heard it a million times: nutrient-rich a diet is essential for your health. Not only does eating right keep your energy levels balanced, but it also helps your body prevent and fight disease. Even if you know this in theory, many young people find it hard to stick to a healthy diet because a youthful body can get away with a multitude of sins. There is a misconception that it’s only when you get older that you really start to feel the difference that diet makes. This isn’t necessarily true: if you pay attention to how your body feels when you eat well, you will start to notice a big difference in your energy and verve.
So what should you eat? With so much conflicting diet info out there, it’s best to keep it simple. An optimum diet will include plenty of fresh veg and fruits, healthy fats and high-quality, lean protein. Eating well is more about what you eat than what you don’t eat. That said, you should try to avoid processed carbs and saturated fats whenever possible.
Drink Like a Fish
That’s water, not alcohol. And before you ask: coffee and tea don’t count, either. Aim for eight glasses of water per day. Sticking to this might be a challenge, so until you have formed a solid routine, it’s a good idea to use a reminder on your phone or the odd post-it note on the fridge to help you remember to drink up. Your future self will thank you.
Whether you’re twenty-one or fifty-one, living your life in a way that helps you age in a healthy way is a great way to ensure that you enjoy optimum health in the future.
