Aging Gracefully: What You Can Do to Feel Great from the Inside Out

It’s no secret – we all want to look great as we age. After all, if you feel young and vibrant on the inside, there’s no reason your outside can’t match. But as the years go by, aging gracefully often feels like more of an uphill battle than something that happens naturally. 

Of course, everyone knows that woman who seems to defy age with effortless grace, carrying herself with an air of confidence that radiates from the inside out. What’s her secret? The following ideas are a great place to start. They can help you take care of your mind and body to feel great no matter how many candles are on your birthday cake. 

Do things that make you happy. 

A recent study reported that happy people are less prone to mental decline. Positive people are also less likely to develop coronary heart disease, which is the main form of heart disease amongst seniors. Stay away from negative people and places and instead spend your time doing things you enjoy. You’ll age gracefully and live longer than your unhappy peers.

Eat the right types of fat.

Out with the bad and in with the good. The saturated fat found in many types of meat and dairy increases your cholesterol and boosts your risk for developing type 2 diabetes. On the other hand, eating healthy fats like omega-3 fatty acids can reduce your risk for dementia. You can find them in fish, nuts, olive oil and green leafy vegetables. 

Stop adding salt to your food.

Aging gracefully isn’t just about looking good on the outside; you have to keep your insides healthy as well. A good place to start is by reducing your salt intake. A high sodium diet is a trigger for high blood pressure, which can lead to serious health problems like heart attack, stroke, and cognitive decline. Try to stick to foods with less than 20 percent of your daily-recommended value of sodium.

Learn to manage your stress.

Studies have shown that stress can make a person appear 10 years older than they really are. Some degree of stress is inevitable, but the key to taming it lies in finding something that helps you relax. Whether its yoga, meditation, swimming, riding a bike or listening to soothing music, taking some time for yourself every day to unwind is essential to aging gracefully.

When it comes to indulging, moderation is key.

Nearly everyone is guilty of indulging her vices every once in a while. Consuming alcohol, ice cream, sweets, and soda is acceptable in moderation, but having too much can take a toll on your health and outward appearance. Set some limits for yourself and stick to them to avoid major health conditions like diabetes, obesity, and high cholesterol.

We support healthy aging

At Bella Vista Health Center in Lemon Grove, we provide quality, compassionate care to help you age gracefully in a manner that supports your overall wellbeing. All of the residents in our nursing facility receive nutritious meals, opportunities for salon services, exercise, yoga, meditation, and many other programs that help support them through the aging process. 

If you or a loved one is in search of a new home or a place to recover or rehabilitate, we invite you to come visit us. At Bella Vista Health Center, our recently remodeled 5-star facility is powered by a professional staff whose primary goal is to put the needs of patients and their loved ones first.

Give us a call to schedule your visit today.