Enjoying the Golden Years Successful Aging in the 21st Century
When we think about aging, many people imagine Granny from a famous cartoon sitting in her rocking chair, letting the world whiz by her. However, with modern medical breakthroughs, technological advances, and access to financial planning, successful aging in the 21st century is possible. You do not have to resign yourself to spending your days in a chair while others go about life. Even if you are physically unable to walk, your mind and your body can stay healthy and young for many years with a few tips for successful aging. Ten Tips for Successful Aging The following are ten tips for successful aging that focus on physical, emotional, and cognitive health. Financial planning is also critical in preparing for your future. You can find various online resources or contact a financial planner specializing in elder laws to help you create a plan to prepare you for retirement and estimated inflation over the next 20-40 years. Keep Up with Physician Appointments Routine doctor appointments, screenings, and lab work can be tiresome. But preventing issues is a key component to aging successfully. Catching problems early can mean getting treatment as soon as possible and living longer. No one wants to hear bad news, but initiative-taking can help you access resources that can lengthen your time with your family. Speak with your doctor about a routine schedule for appointments, or use your birthday month as a trigger to schedule annual exams and screenings. Stay Active The longer you can stay flexible and strong, the better your physical health. Researchers recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate to high-intensity exercise per week. You can spread this out to thirty-minute sessions five days a week or three ten-minute sessions per day. Speak to your physician about clearance for exercise before beginning an exercise [...]