Wellness

Staying Young at Heart

By Brian Campo

“Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.”

– Mark Twain

While many of us don’t think we are aging, our bodies are slowly changing over time. It’s important to be proactive in our approach to aligning our daily habits with the needs of our bodies. I found myself behind the curve earlier this year and re-dedicated my commitment to my health. This September, we observe Healthy Aging Month and recognize the importance of staying healthy both physically and mentally. 

Below are a few tips we recommend for a happy, healthy and vibrant life:

Maintaining a Balanced Diet
Nutritional needs vary from person to person. However, as you get older, your body will face new challenges such as lower metabolism, low bone mass, and vitamin deficiencies. Additionally, women confront a unique set of changes in menopause. I connected with a nutritionist who shares dietary tips, weight management strategies, common pitfalls, tips and even recipes. Adding this information to my weekly reading has helped me adjust what I eat and my shopping habits. What I’ve found is you don’t have to starve yourself or give up your favorite foods, rather find balance in your diet and do common sense things. For example, I eat more natural foods (things that grow as opposed to things that are processed), I try to leave a little on my plate or serve myself a bit less, and I don’t eat after 8:30 pm. Your body just stores late-night food, and it can affect the quality of your sleep, which is also very important to good health. Now there are times when I’m out to dinner with friends or family and I make exceptions, just not every day.   

Getting Up and Moving
It’s easy to be sedentary when you are in the office all day or are no longer working, but the lack of movement can cause you to be more susceptible to chronic diseases. Light to moderate exercise such as walking, swimming, or biking can help with preventing disease. Even everyday tasks like shopping for groceries or yard work could be great for staying active. If you’re goal-oriented like me, sign up for a charity race or a walk and give yourself a reason to exercise (I didn’t want to embarrass myself). Who among us can’t find 30-60 minutes once or twice a week to get up and move either on the weekend or before/after work? It took commitment at first, but it became easier after just a few weeks of incorporating movement into my routine. You will be amazed at how good you’ll feel, and how just a little bit of exercise a few days a week can make a difference. I feel much better, sleep much better, and now have an excuse to buy myself some new clothes! 

Seeking Regular Checkups
Older adults should aim to see their doctors regularly. Having routine screenings for conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and various cancers can help slow down or completely prevent severe issues from developing. You can check here to see if you’re up to date on your preventative care. Grandma always told me “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!”

Keeping Your Brain Engaged
As you grow older, you become more at risk of developing memory loss and degeneration. Keeping your brain active and engaged is the best way to maintain your cognition. Solo activities such as reading and learning a new skill can be beneficial to your brain health as well as social activities such as exercise and spending time with friends and family. Among other things, I’ve been watching Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune for years now. Medical professionals say these kinds of shows exercise my brain and can help stave off mental decline, despite the good-natured ribbing I get from some of my kids and ‘friends’. 

To uncover more about healthy aging, we spoke with Maddy Dychtwald on the “Keeping the Well in Well-thy” podcast. Maddy is an esteemed member of the Wall Street Journal’s expert Panel on retirement and an author who has collaborated with Mayo Clinic Press. Throughout the episode, Dychtwald explains the difference between health span and lifespan and shares insight into how to keep yourself young and healthy by making lifestyle adjustments and shifting your mindset. 

I’ve lost 15 pounds in the last 6-8 months just by making small adjustments to my personal routine. We hope you try some of these tips. Before you know it, you will feel the difference!

Brian M. Campo, CFP^®

Wealth Advisor
Fairport Wealth Chicago