Ageing is an inevitable part of life. While some people naturally accept this transition and enjoy what it has to offer, others can find it tricky.
But, with so many opportunities and adventures to be had, ageing should be an experience we try to live to the fullest.
With that said, we’ve outlined eight ways to help you embrace ageing, become your healthiest self, and make your later years a time full of accomplishment and adventure.
1. Work on adopting an optimistic outlook
Optimism is the ability to remain positive and hopeful, even in the face of adversity. Many people believe you’re born optimistic or pessimistic, but we’re actually all capable of shifting our mindset in either direction.
Having an optimistic approach can affect your well-being by making you feel happier and bringing more humour into your life. Plus, optimism is often contagious, so it can benefit those around you.
There are various ways to begin learning the skill of optimism, including practising gratitude, imagining a happy future, and spending time with positive people. You can read more about these methods in our article: How to learn the skill of optimism.
Mindfulness can also be a powerful tool for focusing on what’s important in life and looking at the world more optimistically. By shifting your focus to the present moment, many people find that it can help put things into perspective. For more information, why not read our introduction to mindfulness?
2. Prioritise a healthy sleep schedule
During sleep, the body rests, repairs, and carries out several important functions, like cell regeneration, tissue repair, and growth. As a result, studies have highlighted healthy sleep patterns as being one of the most important things for maintaining brain health as we age.
Getting enough good-quality sleep has also been found to help prevent stress, anxiety, and depression, and is linked with a reduced risk of developing various health conditions like heart disease and high blood pressure.
However, getting a good night’s sleep is easier said than done for some people. For example, research has identified a link between ageing and an increased risk of insomnia, with those over the age of 60 most affected.
If you often struggle to get a good night’s sleep, you’ll find plenty of useful information – including how to find the right pillow and mattress – in our sleep and fatigue section.
3. Plan for future accomplishments
Instead of telling yourself that your best years have passed, a simple way to add joy and excitement to your life is to focus on your ambitions and hopes for the future.
According to research, there are many skills we only develop fully later in life – for example, being able to understand other people’s emotions. Plus, the older we get, the more life experience we have to fall back on. The lessons we learn throughout life often leave us wiser and more sure of our priorities.
The opportunities for later life are endless. From professional goals (perhaps you’re ready for a career change) to fitness goals (are you looking to take up a new sport?) and emotional goals (do you wish to work on improving your emotional balance?), there’s so much that you can work towards.
Taking time to think about what you enjoy doing and what you’d like to achieve is a good way to set yourself targets. For example, you might like to visualise your goals and write them down.
Studies have shown that people are 42% more likely to achieve their goals simply by putting them on paper. Being able to tick achievements off when you’ve completed them can also create a sense of personal accomplishment.
For inspiration, check out our real life stories section. Here, you can read about the many ways that Rest Less members are living their later years to the fullest.
4. Arrange regular health checks
As we age, we may become more worried about our health. But, with so many tests and check-ups available through the NHS, it’s often possible to keep an eye on existing health conditions and spot new ones as early as possible – helping to keep worries at bay.
Our articles, 11 important health checks for over 50s and 9 health numbers you should know, have more information.
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If you’re looking for peace of mind and faster access to healthcare, HMCA’s member-only private medical plans have guaranteed acceptance and no age limit. For more information, you can visit their website below.
5. Explore ways to help others
If you have some extra time, why not explore the different ways you can use it to help others? Your life experiences have likely left you with plenty of knowledge and wisdom that could make a difference in the world.
Not everyone wants help or advice, but for those who do, there are many ways you can be there for them. For example, you may have a lonely neighbour or a family member with young children who’d appreciate even half an hour’s break.
6. Maintain a realistic exercise and fitness routine
Staying active is important for health at any stage of life. But, as we age, exercise plays a particularly key role in maintaining a healthy brain, warding off conditions like heart disease and osteoporosis, improving posture, and preventing injuries by increasing strength and balance.
Many people also find it more challenging to maintain a healthy weight later in life (due to factors like menopause and a slowed metabolism), so taking steps to stay active can be helpful.
If you’re yet to find an activity you love, head over to our fitness and exercise section for inspiration. Here, you’ll find everything from gym workouts to walking, running, swimming, yoga, and dancing.
You might also like to join Rest Less Events, where you can take part in virtual fitness classes. There’s everything from Tai Chi to Pilates.
Remember, it’s best to keep your fitness goals and routines realistic – you don’t have to do anything drastic to see results. The NHS advises several short sessions of vigorous exercise combined with some moderate activity each week.
7. Follow a healthy diet
We’re all aware of the importance of following a balanced diet for our health, especially for boosting our immune system. And, luckily, many simple diet swaps can help transform how we feel inside and out – without compromising on taste and flavour.
Adopting a manageable, healthy diet can boost energy levels, maintain bone health, and reduce the risk of developing conditions like high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. A healthy diet also plays an important role in maintaining healthy skin.
For information on following a balanced diet, along with healthy recipe ideas from around the world, head over to our diet and nutrition and food and drink sections.
8. Become an advocate for change and consider volunteering
Using your time to volunteer for a cause or charity, whether in your local community or on an international level, can help you find meaning and purpose. And studies have shown it can also leave you feeling fulfilled, rewarded, and empowered.
You could volunteer at a food bank, support local wildlife, or start a fundraiser. You’ll find all of these ideas and more in our article, 17 meaningful ways to help others and give back to your community, as well as in our volunteering guides.
You can also find current volunteering opportunities below.
Through volunteering, you’re also likely to meet interesting, like-minded people who might end up being new friends.
Final thoughts…
If we take a moment to appreciate what life continues to offer us, it can become clear that many opportunities and adventures await.
By setting goals, becoming your healthiest self, adopting an optimistic outlook, and helping others, your later years can be the best of your life. So, why not start transforming your attitude towards ageing today?
For more inspiration, check out our article: What are the best things about ageing? 20 honest comments from Rest Less members.
What, if anything, do you find challenging about ageing? And what do you enjoy the most? Do you have any additional tips on transforming attitudes to ageing that you’d like to share? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.
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