Has anybody ever told you you’re “only as old as you feel?” It may sound like wishful thinking, but there’s actually a lot of evidence that embracing a youthful mindset can lead to all kinds of positive outcomes for seniors. Learning how to stay young at heart can help you make the most out of your golden years.
How Does Feeling Younger Lead to Better Health for Seniors?
Trying to be “young at heart” might sound silly for serious-minded seniors. However, research demonstrates a positive relationship between viewing yourself through a youthful lens and maintaining an active and fulfilling lifestyle in your golden years. Seniors who think of themselves as younger than they are have better cardiovascular health than seniors who focus on their actual age. Why? Researchers believe that seniors who see themselves as more youthful as they take better care of themselves and are more optimistic about the future. Do you know how to stay young at heart?
Take Care of Your Body
Research has repeatedly shown us that maintaining your physical health as a senior is critical to enjoying your golden years. Seniors who think of themselves as younger than they are tend to do a better job with that than seniors who have a defeatist attitude about aging. Researchers believe that thinking of yourself as younger can lead you to prioritize exercise and a healthy diet and be more mindful about your future health outcomes. If you aren’t sure where to start, talk to your doctor about how you can improve your physical health.
Keep Learning New Things
One of the best ways to retain a youthful mindset is to go out of your way to learn new things. Novelty helps your brain make new connections, which is vital to maintaining a young mental age. Learning new things is also a great way to get out of your comfort zone, and it helps seniors stay engaged and active. Join a class, read a book, or watch a documentary about something that has always interested you. You never know what you’ll learn!
Seek Purpose in Life
Because retirement brings more free time to a person’s day, your golden years are a great time to dedicate yourself to something you care about. Seniors who don’t have outside interests and goals to motivate them can sometimes get stuck focusing on themselves and worrying excessively about how aging affects them. For those struggling to stay young at heart, looking for a new purpose in life might be helpful. Have you always wanted to volunteer for a particular cause? Is there a hobby you didn’t have enough time for that you can pick back up today?
Make Time for Joy
Taking care of yourself and seeking purpose in life is essential, but don’t forget the most crucial part of staying young at heart. One of the easiest and most effective ways to embrace a youthful mindset is to make time in your life for fun. A playful mindset encourages adults to keep learning and exploring, and it can also make it easier to stay optimistic as a senior. Playing can also help you connect with others, making your social life as a senior more vibrant.
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Learning how to stay young at heart takes practice, but the payoff is worth it. If you want to check out a community where seniors are encouraged to stay active and vibrant, we hope you’ll visit us at Waterstone on Augusta.
Are you looking for a premier assisted living and memory care community in the heart of downtown Greenville, South Carolina? Visit us at Waterstone on Augusta. We strive to enhance the quality of life of the seniors we serve through teamwork and unity and work to provide a relaxing and supportive atmosphere for our residents. To learn more about our amenities and to view our lovely community, please schedule a tour online or call us today at 864-605-7236.