Eight Tips to Age Gracefully
When you cross over the 50 line, there are those who are aging and those who are aging gracefully. Like Meryl Streep or George Clooney, the lucky ones seem to be getting better and better with each passing year, while others just seem to develop more and more physical signs of getting older.
Truth is, it isn’t a matter that some people age better, they’re just aging smarter. And the secret seems to be not in what they are doing, but in what they are not doing.
Sounds strange? Well, New Jersey Dentist and Naturopath Dr. Vladimir Gashinksy will prove it to you!
First Off – Attitude Counts!
Getting older is rife with emotional landmines, including fears of losing one’s independence or getting a serious illness. Aging gracefully isn’t always easy, but attitude matters a lot, experts say.
To age gracefully, one needs to anticipate the changes that are inevitable. As most people encounter the natural changes and health status that are part of aging, most of them experience these things as negative which adds a lot of stress and strain to their life. They can’t manage it and they get depressed.
The trick is to stay away from negative news and surround yourself with a positive approach to your daily routine. People who are less prone to mental or physical decline and lead happier lives. Finding a meaningful interest and people that share those interests can make a huge difference in your life. As the Huffington Post reported, a 2011 survey found that older people who are happy have a 35 percent lower risk of dying than their unhappy peers. Positive people were also less likely to develop coronary heart disease, according to research at Harvard University. And to that we add: less wrinkles too!
Take Care of Your Teeth
Your smile is what makes you beautiful, so your teeth are your most important asset when you’re getting older. Seek to preserve your teeth as much as you can with regular dental cleanups (see our offer), flossing and brushing. For example, gum disease can lead to tooth loss which, in turn, will cause wrinkles around your mouth which is something you definitely would not want!
Having your gums examined regularly will make sure your teeth stay healthy and strong. And, should you have gum disease, get it taken care of by Dr. Gashinsky who specializes in the latest gum treatments and is using homeopathic and herbal protocols to achieve the best results.
While routine maintenance will preserve your teeth, Dr. Gashinsky uses a number of proven ways to improve your smile and make it really shine. For example, you may have lost teeth over the years and somehow have “gotten used to that.” But did you know that tooth loss has been linked directly to health conditions such as heart disease and diabetes and is directly related to the number of years you may live? Studies have shown that those who have a full set of teeth when they are 74-years-old are more likely to reach 100!
A great way to replace missing or broken teeth are bio-compatible, metal-free Zirconia dental implants. Dr. Gashinsky is a certified Zirconia dental implant provider and will give you a FREE CONSULTATION and advise you what your best options are.
Last but not least, avoid teeth-staining foods and drinks such as coffee or wine, watch your sugar intake and, if you’re up to it, stop smoking.
Don’t Overdo It!
As you age, you might be tempted to use more makeup to create a more youthful appearance. But there’s nothing attractive about cakey foundation or spidery lashes. Makeup should only enhance your natural beauty not mask it. Keep your makeup clean and natural. Stop trying to dress like your daughter but develop your own style.
Watch the Salt!
High blood pressure is one of many conditions that likely increases with age. In fact, nearly two-thirds of Americans over 60 have high blood pressure according to the NIH. A high sodium diet is a trigger. And since aging gracefully isn’t just about your outside, we want to keep our insides healthy as ell. Hypertension can lead to serious health complications like heart attack, stroke, and mental decline. So don’t go dashing any extra salt on your meals and try to steer clear of anything with more than 20 percent your daily recommended value of sodium.
Get Moving!
Whatever your motivation to work out—feeling good, blowing off stress, losing weight—you can add one more to the list: staying young. In a study on older adults, those who exercised functioned physiologically similar to younger people. So it keeps you young on the inside, but what about the outside? Your skin is the largest organ in your body and the only one you can see. Anything that’s good for your body is good for your skin.
Be Smart About Loving the Sun.
Sun is good for you, but with moderation. To some extent there’s no avoiding the lines and wrinkles that accompany aging. We all need vitamin D but if you’re getting too much sun without protection, you may be severely damaging your skin. Studies have shown that if, during the summer, you spend 1 hour in the morning and same amount of time in the afternoon outside, wearing protective clothing and a big hat, you will get the same amount of vitamin D as from supplements your doctor would prescribe.
Eat Well – Don’t Indulge!
Sure you should live a little and enjoy the occasional indulgence. But moderation is key in aging gracefully. Whatever your vice may be, whether it’s alcohol, fatty foods, sweets, or even soda, too much of a good thing can be a bad thing. Increased insulin and leptin, which control blood sugar and fat storage, are responsible for some major health conditions including diabetes, obesity, and high cholesterol. Eating a high fat diet, consuming excess sugar, and not getting enough exercise are all culprits. A poor diet can also increase free radicals in your body, which can damage your DNA and age you.
Don’t Stress!
Life will always have its stresses, from family to work to finances. It’s unavoidable and can cause a series of health problems like sleeplessness, depression, and even heart disease. Some studies suggest stress can make you appear up to 10 years older. But people who age gracefully have learned to manage their stress. Whether it’s meditation, exercise, or just taking a couple minutes for yourself everyday to unplug from technology and walk away from your desk, it’s highly beneficial for your insides and outsides to learn to tame your stress.
Questions?
Ask New Jersey’s Holistic Dentist and Naturopath Dr. Gashinsky and receive your CONSULTATION to get all your questions answered.
Sources: The Huffington Post, Health.com, WebMD.com.
