With age, the body goes through natural changes. But just because you're getting older doesn't mean your health has to suffer. By making smart lifestyle decisions and trusting in God's plan, we can all live healthy, fulfilling lives, just as He intended for us.
"For I have plans for you," declares the Lord. "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
If you're in need of a lifestyle adjustment, or simply a new tool for motivation, here are our five steps to healthy aging:
1. Prioritize Mental Well-Being Stress may be inevitable, but that doesn't mean you should let it keep you from going about your day-to-day. Feeling stressed out too often can lead to depression and negatively impact your immune system, according to Ann Malkmus.
"Stress can negatively impact your immune system."
"Our body often responds to stress with a fight or flight response," she wrote in her book Unravel the Mystery by Ann Malkmus. "When improper response to stress occurs it can cause elimination organs to hold on to toxicity and metabolic waste. This leads to acceleration of sickness and disease." To keep stress levels down, find a hobby or activity that acts as an outlet for the bad feelings. Exercising or hanging out with friends and family make great stress relievers.
2. Eliminate Toxic Habits According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 16 million Americans live with some type of disease that was caused by smoking. Additionally, research by the CDC found drinking excess alcohol can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, liver disease and multiple forms of cancer. Eliminating such habits reduces your risk for developing these conditions, thus promoting longevity.
3. Incorporate Exercise Into Your Routine Exercising as you age is critical to your overall well-being. It improves your cardiovascular health, reduces your blood pressure and strengthens your bones and muscles, according to the American Heart Association. Adults should spend at least 150 minutes performing moderately intense aerobic activity every week. This can include jogging, swimming, biking, walking and more.
4. Take Care of Your Teeth Brushing and flossing certainly keep your mouth in top shape, but they're not only contributing to oral health. When you don't properly take care of your oral cavity, certain pathogens can invade your upper respiratory tract and break down your immune system. That's why visiting the dentist, prioritizing healthy habits and taking oral health probiotics is critical.
5. Following God's Plan Most importantly, following God's plan to nourish your body with the original sustenance of the earth is key to healthy aging. By eliminating processed, sugar-ridden "foods" from your diet and opting for a primarily-raw, plant-based regimen, you'll fuel your body with the vitamins and minerals you need to thrive. Give your body a chance to grow and prosper the way it was meant to by following a diet that's rich in fruits, vegetables, seeds and nuts. If you need help kick-starting your new and improved lifestyle on the road to healthy aging, try our Get Started Kit today.
