Tips for Successful Aging

Maximize Your Quality of Life:

• Live longer with activity
• Minimize the distress of age-related diseases
• Delay the onset of age-related diseases
• Shorten the time you live with illness and suffering

Lifestyle Patterns of People Who Live to Be 100:

• Keep weight steady
• Exercise regularly
• Stay positive in attitude
• Challenge your mind
• Stay friendly and social

Stress Causes Illness:

• Chronic stress – Extremely destructive to health
• Produces biological reactions that “age” the body

Control What You Can:

• Do not smoke
• Watch your diet
• Exercise
• Reduce stress
• Engage socially
• Exercise your mind
• Use preventative medicine
• Get adequate rest
• Remain flexible in mind and body
• Maintain purpose in your life

Research Shows Some Vitamin/Mineral Benefits:

• Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin D
• Fish oil
• Selenium
• Mixed carotenoids
• Folic acid
• Calcium
• Magnesium

Omega-3 Brain Foods:

• Canola oil
• Olive oil
• Safflower oil
• Sunflower oil
• Avocados
• Soybean oil
• Walnuts
• Flaxseed
• Fish: trout, herring, salmon

Mediterranean Style Diet:

• Rich in fruits, vegetables, unrefined whole grains
• Low intake of saturated fats
• Lowered risk of cardiovascular disease
• Increased heart health

Exercise Every Day:

• Make it fun
• Make it a priority
• Make it easy
• Make it social
• Make it interesting
• Seize new opportunities

Engage in Novel Experiences:

• Learn a new language
• Travel
• Join a new social club
• Creative writing
• Painting
• Attend a class
• Mentor a student

Find Joy Daily:

• Hobbies
• Daily exercise & daily relaxation
• Humor
• Socializing with friends or neighbors
• Talking by phone with friends/family
• Gardening
• Music
• Praying/spiritual connection