Taking Care of Yourself in Old Age
Taking care of yourself in old age is important for a number of reasons theworldinsiders. You want to
have a long, healthy life so that you can enjoy the things that matter most to you,
like your family and friends.
The secret to living well in your senior years lies in keeping your health and mind
sharp. That means getting enough sleep and exercising on a regular basis.
You should also do a lot of thinking about your current and future goals. Having
these in place early on can help you avoid making bad choices and putting yourself
at risk for disease as you get older, says Dr. Jennifer Pacheco, associate professor of
medicine and director of the Center for Innovation in Clinical Research at UCSF.
Find a fun way to learn and keep yourself entertained, such as taking in a concert or
playing a musical instrument.
Take a stab at a new hobby, or get a group of friends together to start up a club.
Do something you’ve always wanted to do, but never had the time for.
For example, go for a bike ride every day or find a local class or club to join that
focuses on topics you’re interested in.
The best part is that you’ll feel much better, and maybe even have more energy to
spare!
Optimism is key to aging in style.
Having a positive attitude helps you cope with the big and small challenges of life,
which in turn makes it easier to stay young at heart.