We cannot stop the aging process, but we can make changes to our lifestyle that can make aging enjoyable. Here are 5 practical steps you can take to make the aging process enjoyable!

1. Eliminate self destructive behaviours.

The effect of destructive behaviors like smoking and excess drinking may not manifest for many years and this can discourage you from stopping. It is important to realise that they do have a dramatic effect on your health.

2. Eat Properly

I frequently say that 70% of health is about what you put in your body. Though it is an estimate, of course, there is absolutely no debating that the food with which you choose to fuel your body with, is the single most powerful choice you can make for your health now and as you age.

As we age, our cells are more vulnerable. It is that much more important to stimulate the metabolism, control stress hormones, safeguard immunity, and prevent atrophy. There is no reason anyone needs to be hobbling around at 65 or 75. You can enjoy the energy, vigor and looks of someone much younger if you simply take the extra steps to ensure your body has the arsenal of tools it needs. The best thing you can do is fuel your body appropriately with whole, fresh, nutritionally-dense food. Eat the right fats, plenty of quality, clean protein, and copious vegetables. Absolutely avoid anything processed, fried, packaged, reconstituted, refined, or high in worthless carbohydrates.

3. Exercise

Much of aging is essentially tissue wasting (atrophy). The phrase use it or lose it is cliche but true. The human body is designed to conserve precious energy. If you are sedentary, you are sending a clear message to your cells (e.g. your muscles, bones, and brain) that they are not necessary. Your muscles weaken, your bones shed their valuable osseous material - thereby even further compromising your immunity - and your mental capacity begins to slowly deteriorate. Exercise is not really about being ripped or sexy, though we all want that. It is simply a necessary component of functioning as a human being. So many of our health conditions are diseases of sloth. If you are tired or lacking in energy, barring a specific condition or hormonal imbalance, its likely you are not active enough.

4. Manage Stress

An excess of gluccocorticoid hormone production will quickly derail the best health plans and prematurely age you. The common symptoms of aging - high blood pressure, heart disease, adrenal fatigue, wrinkles, loss of sex drive, loss of energy, poor memory - are not really symptoms of aging at all. But they are symptoms of stress and poor lifestyle choices. Do everything you can to eliminate every type of stress in your life, whether from poor-quality junk food, smoking, drinking, and/or emotional stress. Cut out negative people and put an immediate end to stagnant or abusive relationships. Seek therapy if you think it can benefit you. Free yourself of your childhood, your demons, and your regrets. And please find a way to cope with the stress that cannot be eliminated, whether through exercise, prayer, meditation or time in the garden. This will make an enormous difference in your overall well-being.

5. Think Young

Your one life is a precious gift, but thinking young is about more than thinking positively or staying interested in current trends and world events. Realize that even at 55, 65, 75 and beyond, you are young. As long as you are alive and taking every intelligent step to get the most from your body and your life, you are young. Living itself is the ultimate fountain of youth. Look at the way children play and are curious. Do not lose that spirit. I think we all tend to take life far too seriously. While responsibility is important, dont lose your sense of joy. If someone in your life doesnt understand that, its really their loss. You are who you think you are. If you are constantly telling people you are just okay or that youre tired (again), thats what you are. There is no harm in thinking positively, so train yourself to do so. Negative thoughts are unproductive and unnecessary. Use outcome thinking where you visualize what you want rather than focusing on what was or what might go wrong. Im not advocating living in the clouds and ignoring reality, but when you take stock of reality, think about the positive outcome you hope to gain from the situation.

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