Top tips to age gracefully
There are so many different theories about ageing and how to do it ‘properly’. Everyone has their own way of thinking about ageing, which is often based on our own personal visions, culture, beliefs and idea of happiness.
And I’m not gonna lie, it can also feel like a very scary topic.
But as with all situations in life, it’s only scary until you change your perspective.
The aim of this article is to share with my tribe what I’ve learned so far about ageing, and how to keep an active body and mind even as we get older.
Let’s talk about Blue Zones
First of all, I wanna share a very interesting study with you.
There are certain parts of the world named Blue Zones, which indicate areas where there is a high concentration of very old people. And interestingly, even though the population is significantly old, they’re generally extremely healthy and still full of energy.
There are five Blue Zone locations in the world. These are Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy; Nicoya, Costa Rica; Ikaria, Greece, and Loma Linda, California.
Over the years, many people have decided to go to these destinations and try to discover the locals’ secret to a long life:
Eating a fresh, mostly plant-based diet.
When you go for meat or cheese, choose a high quality locally-sourced one. There are five staples in each Blue Zone diet: whole grains, greens, tuberous (sweet potatoes or potatoes), nuts and, most importantly, beans.
Drinking a cup of tea and red wine every day.
Herbal teas help digestion and help elevate your mood. Red wine contains polyphenols, which protect the lining of blood vessels in the heart.
Leading a happy and active social life.
When we get older, there’s a tendency to isolate ourselves or lose social connections for many reasons. Loneliness can be a huge factor in shortening someone’s life span, so being part of a community and having an active social life can help to boost your mood and avoid depression.
Dan Buettner, the author, educator and explorer who discovered the Blue Zones, said: “We’re genetically hardwired to crave social interaction and when you don’t have it, there’s a level of subconscious stress that grates away at you”.
Walk, baby, walk!
Walking is one of the best forms of exercise, and it’s the easiest one! Going on a long walk every day is extremely beneficial for your heart and the elasticity of your muscles.
Never give up on your purpose
Many ancient practices support the theory that having a purpose in life is fundamental for your happiness and for your self development. (You can read more about the importance of cultivating your passions in my previous blog post here!)
Ayurveda calls it “Dharma”, which is the purpose we personally have in this lifetime.
Finding our life purpose and following it, even when we’re getting older, supports our brain health. When your mind knows that every day you need to wake up to follow your goals, it naturally enters an active mode, increasing our brain activity.
Keep your gut clean
Our gut is the centre of our emotions and our immune system. Through the vagus nerve, it can send information to the brain and vice versa.
This advice is valid at any age: make sure to eat whenever you feel like it, without overeating. When you feel you’ve had enough, learn to stop and eat intuitively. When your gut is clean and functioning properly, your immune system will reap the benefits.
If you want to know more about the Blue Zones study, I highly recommend following Dan Buettner (longevity coach and founder of Blue Zones) and reading his books. I’ve put a few links below if you’re interested!
I’d love to hear more about your own ideas and feelings about ageing – feel free to share your ideas with me and let’s chat!
Good Vibes Only,
Coach Viky
