13 Tips to Stay Healthy and Happy

Robert Butler, M.D., one of the country’s foremost experts on aging, recently passed away at the age of 83 from leukemia.

In his last book, The Longevity Prescription: The 8 Proven Keys to a Long, Healthy Life, he offered advice and tips to help readers live a longer and happier life.

Among them:

1.  Stay active ~ remaining active protects your mind and body, and promotes your sense of well-being.   Spend time doing things you love.  Pursue a passion.   Develop a Hobby.  Go for a nature walk.

2.  Maintain a healthy weight.  It’s better for your joints, your heart, and your lungs.

3.  Exercise regularly, especially walking ~ there is no better exercise as you age.  Form a walking group and get outside.  Or keep a treadmill inside to use during inclement weather.  Exercise is great for your lungs, your heart, your muscles, your sense of balance, your emotional well-being, and your eyes (more on this below).

4.   Spend time with other people ~ volunteering, working,  entertaining, exercising, and even playing games will keep your mind active and alert.   People with cognitive issues can regain up to 2 decades of mental acuity with brain training and increased human interaction.

5.  Create varied social connections, friendships, and other supportive relationships.  Reach out and touch someone ~ holding hands and hugging reduces blood pressure.  If you live alone, consider getting a pet for daily  companionship or find a pen pal.

6.  Manage the stress in your life with meditation, music, laughter, exercise, gratitude, sleep, mindfulness,  nature walks, and other spiritual practices.  Bring the outside in ~ fresh flowers reduce stress.

7.  Get enough sleep.  A 30-minute nap a day has health benefits, and may reduce the risk of heart disease by as much as 30 percent.  Longer naps, though, can interfere with good sleep.

8.  Eat a healthy diet ~ include bright colored fruits and veggies overflowing with vitamins, minerals, and anti-oxidants (e.g., blueberries, grapes, red wine).

9.  Use weight and resistance training, including walking, to stay strong and maintain your vitality and independence.  Falls are the 12th leading cause of death in people age 65 and older.  With strong thigh muscles, you’ll be able to get up from chairs and out of bed on your own without falling.

10. Promote brain health by trying and learning new things. Try new recipes.  Do crossword puzzles.  Try Sudoku or brain teasers.  Learn new words . . . or a new language.

11.  If you lose a spouse or loved one, don’t lose yourself in  grief.  Make an effort to go out and stay connected.  Have dinner with friends, travel, spend time with family.

12.  Laughter is good for what ails you.  It protects the heart and elevates your mood.  Find reasons to laugh,  smile, and play every day.  We do not laugh because we are happy ~ we are happy because we laugh.

13.  Get regular checkups, and eye exams.  On the subject of eye health, go for a walk!  Aerobic exercise  can reduce eye pressure, a risk factor for glaucoma.

So, that’s it in a nutshell ~ 13 Tips to Stay Healthy and Happy.

For more, see the AARP article:  How To Live A Longer, Happier Life

Quote: Beautiful young people are accidents of nature, beautiful old people are works of art. ~ Eleanor Roosevelt

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