How to Slow Aging Before or After Retirement - Start With The Body
If you want to protect your body as you age, you need to learn how to nourish it properly. There are several vital steps that you can choose to take to ensure that your body stays healthy and happy as the years go by. Depending on your age, you may need to make some adjustments, but with a little effort and knowledge, you can nourish your body at any age in the ways it needs to stay strong. The body-mind connection starts with the body. Remember the body is always in the present state. It is not in the past or future state. Your mind moves from one to another a lot. Start, therefore, with the body. It will help your mind directly.
Five Easy Steps to Nourishing Your Body
Step One: Be Aware of Your Body and How Foods Affect It
No matter your age, you need to pay attention to how certain foods react to your body. Just because something is healthy doesn't mean your body will agree every time. For example, if you notice that your stomach gets upset after eating certain foods, try to avoid those foods as much as possible. Food is a great place to become aware of what's going on in your body - especially if you eat slowly. If you can be aware of the moment when you are 80% full you have a great benchmark habit. Stop there if possible.
Step Two: Eat a Balanced Diet and Include Plenty of Fiber
A balanced diet is essential no matter what age you are. Ensure you get proper protein, fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats. In addition, it would be best to focus on including plenty of fiber in your diet - this will help everything from digestive health to maintaining a healthy weight. Some dieticians say to eat "colors". For example, if you eat tomatoes, lettuce, and a carrot slice at the same meal, you have fiber and a mix of good vitamins.
Step Three: Hydrate Often with Water or Other Healthy Drinks
Keeping your body hydrated is crucial for overall health at any age. Aim to drink a minimum of eight glasses of water 24 hours but consider making room for other healthy beverages like green tea or low-sugar fruit juice.
Step Four: Get Enough Vitamin D in the Winter (and others all year long).
Your body also needs plenty of vitamin D. This nutrient helps to support bone health, immune function, and heart health, so it's essential to ensure that you're getting enough of it each day. The most effective way to get enough vitamin D is to get regular sunlight exposure and, if needed, take a high-quality vitamin D supplement as directed. B and C are water soluble - they will pass through you fairly soon. A, D, E, and K are fat soluble.
Step Five: Avoid Too Much Processed Sugars and Fats
Besides getting enough vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients from your diet, avoiding things like processed sugars and unhealthy fats is also important. These foods can cause inflammation in the body, as well as weight gain and high blood pressure, which can put extra strain on your body as you age. So instead, focus on eating plenty of whole foods that are naturally low in sugar and fat. (See step 2) Remember though, one donut per week or a slice of you kid's birthday cake once per year isn't going to kill you. Life needs a little spice and joy. You mood can be spoiled by food self pity or martyrdom. Be sensible.
Following these steps can give your body the nourishment it needs to stay strong and healthy as you age. With a little effort and attention, you can protect yourself from illness and enjoy many more years of good health and vitality. So don't wait and regret it later - start with taking care of your body today. You will feel a little younger right away. Build out from that feeling a little bit every day.
Happy Days Ahead
Joe Grant, MBA
Certified Retirement Coach
Contact me for a Free 45 minute Consultation at https://yourvantagepoints.com
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