Celebrate Healthy Aging Month With These Practical Tips

Change isn’t easy, especially when it comes to making major adjustments to your overall lifestyle. But, what better time is there to get a fresh start and reinvent yourself than Healthy Aging Month? Every September gives you a perfect opportunity to reorient your goals, make health a priority and explore new ideas to improve your physical, mental and social well-being.

As summer winds down and the kids go back to school, it’s the ideal time to refocus some attention on yourself, and that’s exactly what Healthy Aging Month has been reminding older adults for the past 20 years. The goal of Healthy Aging Month is to focus attention on the positive aspects of growing older and to remind people that it’s never too late to find a new hobby, reignite an old passion, or improve overall health.

Tips for Celebrating Healthy Aging Month

Every single day offers a new chance to stop old habits and adopt healthier ones. Did you know it only takes about two months to create a new habit? Make September the start of a healthier you with these valuable tips:

• Get Active – Add one new physical activity to your weekly routine. Try walking once a day, take up bike riding or try your hand at gardening.
• Eat Well – Changing your diet won’t happen overnight. Start by trying to increase your servings of fruits and vegetables each day. Incorporating these foods will make you feel more satisfied and less likely to look for junk food.
• Get a Check-Up – September is the perfect time to get an annual check-up. This will ensure you stay on track and identify any potential health issues before it’s too late.
• De-Clutter Your Lifestyle – Clutter can be unhealthy. Clear your mind and your home by removing clutter and preventing falls or hazards.
• Get More Sleep – As you age, sleep becomes more and more important to your health. Good sleep has even been linked to decreasing your risk of developing Alzheimer’s. Aim for seven-to-nine hours each night.
• Get Social – Join a local club, enroll in a fitness program or take classes at your local community center. Making friends and staying social is beneficial to your mental health.
• Reduce Stress – Find a way to unwind each day. Meditate, take up yoga or engage in a challenging puzzle. Whatever you do, find an outlet to channel your stress in a positive way.
• Age Gracefully – It can sometimes be hard to accept the changes happening in your life. Embrace your age and stay positive. You’ll be surprised how much it can help you physically, mentally and socially.

However, you choose to celebrate Healthy Aging Month is up to you. Making even small changes can have a major impact on your overall well-being.

Regain Your Zest for Life at St. Joseph of the Pines

Retirement doesn’t have to be boring. Explore new interests, make new friends and find new ways to enjoy each and every day by eliminating the stress associated with owning a home. At St. Joseph of the Pines, our independent living options allow you the freedom and flexibility to improve your social, mental and physical well-being. Want to see what we have to offer? Schedule a tour of one of our two North Carolina campuses, Belle Meade and Pine Knoll, to see if you feel at home.