9 Tips to Live a Longer Life to Remember This Healthy Aging Month

We all want to live long, happy lives so we can experience more adventures, deepen relationships and achieve more milestones. The Healthy Aging Month this September offers the perfect time to think about the small, positive changes you can make today to feel your best for years to come. Discover nine tips that can make a huge difference in your life, allowing you to keep doing what you love for many years.

Why Do We Celebrate Healthy Aging Month?

Healthy Aging Month is in September, and it celebrates life and embraces the beauty of growing older. As you age, you become more attuned to your physical and mental health. It’s about encouraging people to take charge of their well-being to allow themselves to achieve their best selves.

9 Healthy Habits to Enjoy a Longer Life

Aging is inevitable. However, there are ways to make it more enjoyable today and for years. Here are some lifestyle habits to embrace this Healthy Aging Month that can help you age gracefully and live longer.

1. Stay Active

The suggestion might sound like a broken record, but the key to longevity is exercise. Getting at least 150 minutes of exercise daily can help decrease your risk of early death by a third. That’s roughly 20 minutes of your time daily, which isn’t a lot. If you can sit through a terrible movie, this is totally doable.

You don’t need a gym membership to start. Brisk walking around your area is a good jump-off point. If you prefer indoors, do yoga, Pilates or a dance workout. There are plenty of YouTube videos you can watch and follow online. If you thrive in exercising with others, try joining classes for a more structured approach.

2. Quit Smoking

Can you recall a time someone said that smoking is good for you? As a child, you’ve probably been told not to smoke. In the era of e-cigarettes, smoking is more convenient than ever. Some may think it’s “healthier,” but they still contain nicotine that can go into your system. Quitting early can increase your life expectancy and lower your risk of chronic diseases.

3. Prioritize Preventive Care

Although annual checkups, mammograms and vaccines may have high upfront costs, they can give you peace of mind knowing you’re in good shape. They can also help catch potential health issues early, giving you ample time to recover and prevent bigger problems down the line. 

Other preventive care measures include getting tested for sexually transmitted diseases if you’re sexually active or using seatbelts when driving. Know your family history and undergo recommended screenings for genetic conditions.

4. Eat a Plant-Based Diet

Have you heard of the Blue Zones? These are regions where you can find the world’s oldest people, including Icaria, Okinawa, Nicoya Peninsula, Ogliastra, Sardinia and the Seventh-day Adventists in Loma Linda, California. 

Blue Zone populations get 95% to 100% of their diet from plants. They prioritize vegetables and other whole foods and eat dairy and fish in moderation. Increase your veggie and fruit intake and slowly cut down on sugary foods.

5. Strengthen Your Social Connections

Your support system can affect so much more than your mood. Apparently, strong social support can decrease your risk of depression and high blood pressure, helping you stay healthy for longer. This is why you must choose your communities wisely. 

Join clubs, volunteer or reconnect with someone you haven’t spoken to in a while. Set aside time every weekend to visit your grandparents or have brunch with your best friends. These simple gestures can lengthen your life.

6. Avoid Overeating

Eating even after you’re full is common, especially when craving that food for so long. It also happens during parties and holidays. While it’s a fun thing to do, it can harm your health in the long run. 

Frequent overeating can make you tired and sluggish, and may also lead to obesity, which is associated with various chronic diseases. Use smaller plates, stick to a shopping list and uninstall your food delivery apps to prevent overeating.

7. Sleep Like a Queen

How you sleep today can affect your tomorrow. Having a few hours of sleep can take a toll on your next day’s performance. While it’s OK to miss a few hours of sleep occasionally, doing this regularly isn’t good for your body. Napping won’t cut it. In fact, regular naps can lower your life expectancy.

Create a calming bedtime routine to help you sleep better at night. Quit using your phone an hour before bedtime, play relaxing music, lower the temperature and limit caffeinated drinks eight hours before sleep.

8. Practice Stress Management

Stress is inevitable. It affects your mind and body. While you can’t control what stresses you, you can take charge of your actions. When you’re overwhelmed by emotions, learn to pause and take a deep breath. Mindfulness is an excellent way to be present in your surroundings and thoughts, allowing you to increase your focus and self-insight.

Find what you enjoy doing. It can be listening to music, exercising or cuddling with your dog. Don’t forget to take breaks to avoid overworking yourself. When stress comes from feeling stuck, learn to try new things and see which works best for you.

9. Try Improv Classes or Laughter Yoga

You’ve probably heard the saying, “Laughter is the best medicine.” Science agrees and shows it has long-term effects on your body. Aside from watching your favorite sitcoms and spending time with friends, why not attend an improv or laughter yoga class? It allows you to laugh and learn at the same time.

Improv teaches you to be confident in yourself, make funny jokes on the spot and make new friends. Meanwhile, laughter yoga is a practice where everyone can laugh without relying on jokes, humor or comedies. Both have their own challenges, but they guarantee laughs that make you realize that life is worth living despite the challenges.

Embrace Healthier Habits This September

Remember, you don’t have to do everything in one go. Test one strategy, start small and slowly build up after that. It’s about doing small things daily for your future self. Don’t forget to share this with your loved ones so you can all live longer, healthier lives together.