Who wouldn’t want to stay young forever? While this is unfortunately technically impossible, that doesn’t mean you can’t feel young even into old age. By making your health a priority, you can live a long, happy life—and look and feel great throughout it.
To discover some of the best things you can do every day in order to add years to your life and keep your body and brain as healthy as possible over time, we spoke to physician Dr. Brian Gans. “After years of research, experience, and working with patients from all walks of life, I’ve come to understand that the key to a long, healthy, and happy life lies in the small, daily habits we cultivate,” he told us. According to him, those crucial daily habits include exercising, stimulating your brain, managing stress, and eating nutritious foods. Find all of his expert insight regarding all of these habits below!
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1. Exercise regularly
This advice may not be ground-breaking, but there's no overestimating the power of physical activity. Dr. Gans says if you want to feel younger than ever, it's important to exercise daily—or at least a few times a week. This is especially important to keep in mind as you age and your activity level may start to naturally decline.
"Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity per week, along with strength training exercises at least twice a week," he says. "Regular exercise helps maintain a healthy weight, reduces the risk of chronic diseases, improves mood, and promotes better sleep."
2. Stimulate your brain
Staying young isn't just about keeping your body fit; it will also require you to flex your mind in order to keep your brain sharp. To do this, Dr. Gans recommends finding a way to stimulate your brain each day.
"Keep your mind active by engaging in activities that challenge and stimulate cognitive function, such as reading, puzzles, or learning new skills," he suggests. "Mental stimulation helps maintain cognitive health and can reduce the risk of age-related cognitive decline." Noted!
3. Manage stress with meditation or yoga
In addition to flexing your body and your brain, it's also crucial to keep stress levels to a minimum if you want to stay looking and feeling young. There are a few ways you can do this, and the key is finding a relaxation method that works best for you. Dr. Gans offers a few suggestions:
"Incorporate stress-reducing techniques, such as mindfulness meditation, deep breathing exercises, or yoga, into your daily routine," he says. "Managing stress effectively can improve mental health, increase resilience, and contribute to a happier life." All of this will help you stay young!
4. Eat nutritious meals
It's no secret that your diet is crucial to your overall health. If you want to live a long, happy life and feel good throughout it, maintaining a balanced diet is crucial. You can achieve this by swapping processed foods for fresh-cooked meals made with whole foods on a regular basis.
"Consume a variety of nutrient-dense foods, including fruits, animal-based proteins, and healthy fats," Dr. Gans says, noting that "A balanced diet supports overall health, helps maintain a healthy weight, and reduces the risk of chronic diseases."
The bottom line
Unfortunately, there's no way to turn back time—or to stop it. Aging is a natural part of life. However, it is possible to continue to look and feel young as you age by making healthy habits like these a priority. If you work hard to stay fit, nourish your body, and keep your mind sharp, you can stay "young" for life!
