Introduction
Getting older is an essential part of our lives as it also involves changes in all realms of life, from mental, physical, emotional, and social health. Some of these changes are unfavorable, whereas others are viewed as positive. The only challenge is to maximize the positive parts as people get older while maintaining good health. Therefore, understanding the physical and mental changes that happen with age is the first thing I will do to protect my health as I age. In addition, I will address various aspects of my health, such as emotional, physical, and social health, which are essential in leading a healthy life.
Factors of Promoting a Healthy Life: Physical Health
Physical health is usually referred to as the soundness of the body and when it works as it was designed to function. It is also when the body is free from diseases or abnormalities. I will primarily consider my diet, genetic factors, and supplements to live a healthy life.
Diet
Supplements are various substances that add nutrients to the diet to lower the risk of health problems such as arthritis and osteoporosis (Rudnicka et al., 2020). I will ensure I incorporate them into my diet so that I can be able to deal with various issues. For example, dietary supplements for liver and heart health can benefit my particular wellness regimen.
Energy Balance
The science behind is very complicated, but one of the major factors that governing physical health while aging is energy balance. This phrase is used to illustrate the difference between the number of calories a person consumes and those that they burn. I intend to be mindful of the calories I consume from the drinks and foods I will either drink or eat. Moreover, the calories I will burn will come from my basal metabolic rate and my physical activities. My doctor has also advised me that when I eat a healthy diet composed of vegetables, fruits, and lean meats, my body will most definitely maintain a healthy and neutral energy balance. This means that the calories I consume will not substantially exceed the once burned.
Supplements
Secondly, I will maintain my diet by cutting sugar and eliminating it slowly as time goes by. Afterward, I will incorporate more vegetables into the diet, primarily leafy greens (Weyh, Krüger & Strasser, 2020). Drinking more water will also be part of my daily routine as I focus on maintaining my fitness level. Lastly, genetics is the other thing that I will consider, as there are diseases that run in my family that requires preventive measures. For instance, there are cancer genes in my family, so I will ensure that I eat cancer-fighting vegetables and learn how to handle stress in the best way possible.
Genetics
Diabetes is another disease that runs in my family, and there are preventive measures that I will undertake, such as incorporating more leafy greens and eliminating sugar sometimes. This will happen when I eat out in a restaurant or at home. In addition, I will cut out too many starchy fruits or vegetables which contain natural sugar. This is because much sugar is often linked to obesity and tooth decay (Rudnicka et al., 2020). I will also cut out on fruit juices and use sugar substitutes such as stevia. Fruit juices contain added flavors, food colors, and other additives that harm our health.
High blood pressure is the other disease that is common in our family. Lowering the level of intake of foods such as greasy foods, which increase blood pressure, is something that I will maintain. This will also apply either at home or when I am eating out. Heart diseases have been expected in my family and every household. Incorporating cardio into my daily routine as I ensure I am mindful of the potential in my body will be a must. This is because I have plantar fasciitis, a disease that causes a lot of heel pain. Low-stress management exercises such as walking and swimming will also be part of my everyday routine.
Emotional Health
Emotional health is defined as how people feel and think. It also includes individuals’ sense of well-being and their capabilities to cope with life events. It also has how different people acknowledge their own emotions and those of others. I will consider stress management techniques such as meditation, counseling, journaling, exercise, spiritual practice, and elimination (Rudnicka et al., 2020). This will be essential for my health as I will be able to address my spiritual needs, boost the level of my happiness, and also enhance my sleeping habits.
Meditation and Journaling
Meditation will be part of my routine as I will ensure that I meditate daily. For instance, I will practice mindfulness which requires me to live in the moment. Meditation also helps mitigate worry and stress that might arise in the future or that happened in the past (Chételat et al., 2018). Journaling helps me process my thoughts as well as feelings. It is defined as keeping a record of a person’s feelings, thoughts, and insights. It is essential as it also helps me gain self-confidence, reduce anxiety and stress, and find inspiration.
Counseling and Spiritual Practice
Counseling will also be part of my schedule as I regularly commit to seeing a psychologist online or in person. Practicing religious science as part of my schedule has helped me maintain mindful thinking and manage stress. Moreover, speaking with others who are part of my spiritual philosophy is essential when worry arises.
Eliminating and Exercise
Eliminating things in my life that are emotionally toxic has also helped my emotional health. This might be certain people as well as some unhealthy sleeping habits. This involves forgiving myself as well as other people. Even if exercising is mentioned under physical health, it also enhances a person’s mental health. Exercising is one way of raising endorphins which brings the feeling of happiness as well as joy.
Social Health
Social health is how various people create positive and healthy relationships with others. Perfect social health is essential as it helps people maintain their emotional well-being. To retain my social health, I would travel, improve my communication skills, meet new people and read.
Education and Communication
Firstly, education involves reading various books on how to deal with people. Such books are essential as they inform on the multiple personalities that help build healthier relationships with people. In addition, taking part in things that help in meeting new people is something that I often do to maintain my social health. Maintaining my current relationships with my family and friends is also something I have taken time to learn (Rudnicka et al., 2020). Cutting toxic people out of my life has helped me maintain a healthier social life regarding emotional and mental well-being. Finally, improving my communication skills is a long-life skill that requires much effort. This is because better communication skills help in becoming a good spouse, leader, parent, employee, and most importantly, friend.
Communication and Travelling
I have been practicing being an active listener, improving my posture while talking to people, making good eye contact, and ensuring I am heard through effective communication. Lastly, traveling helps in allowing people to see another view of the world (Zhang et al., 2019). For instance, when a person travels to another state or country, they can meet other people and learn about their customs. It has also helped me meet new people I would have never met in my daily life. Improving social health might take some time, but the results are always beneficial.
Conclusion
Every person needs a healthy lifestyle to maintain a healthy immune system and avoid diseases. Maintaining means protecting our body from chronic diseases as well as long-term illnesses. In order to maintain weight while aging, it is essential to be mindful of the calories burned and those consumed too. This means that a person must continuously use more calories than they consume on a daily basis. In addition, better social, mental, and physical health is a significant part of our lives as it also boosts our self-image and self-esteem.
References
Chételat, G., Lutz, A., Arenaza-Urquijo, E., Collette, F., Klimecki, O., & Marchant, N. (2018). Why could meditation practice help promote mental health and well-being in aging? Alzheimer’s Research & Therapy, 10(1), 1-4. Web.
Rudnicka, E., Napierała, P., Podfigurna, A., Męczekalski, B., Smolarczyk, R., & Grymowicz, M. (2020). The World Health Organization (WHO) approach to healthy ageing. Maturitas, 139, 6-11. Web.
Weyh, C., Krüger, K., & Strasser, B. (2020). Physical activity and diet shape the immune system during aging. Nutrients, 12(3), 622. Web.
Zhang, Y., Yao, E., Zhang, R., & Xu, H. (2019). Analysis of elderly people’s travel behaviours during the morning peak hours in the context of the free bus programme in Beijing, China. Journal of Transport Geography, 76, 191-199. Web.