Take Care of Your One Body

What I am about to tell you won’t be news to you, but I hope that it will serve as an important reminder to some of you and a wake-up call to others. We only have one body. From infancy to the teenage years to adulthood - the same body year after year.Think of it like this: what would it be like to continue to drive your first car, day-after-day for the rest of your life? Sure, you get the oil changed and you’ve put new tires on the old ride when they are needed. But the car has a lot of miles on it, the paint has started to fade a little and the old doors make a little noise when opened.Sound familiar? As we age, our bodies start to break down, it’s inevitable. If you had a choice and could either age well, enjoying your golden years with energy, free from disability and illness – or age poorly, and be straddled with health issues that keep you from fully living the later years of your life … which would you choose?Research has found key behaviors that lower your risk of disability, chronic disease and mental health problems as you age.• Not smoking• Moderate drinking• Exercising regularly (at least 2.5 hours a week of moderate activity or 1 hour a week of vigorous activity)• Eating vegetables and fruits dailyBy following these behaviors, when you do face a health issue or an injury, you’re more likely to get well sooner; and it’s important to address any health issue or injury immediately so it doesn’t become a chronic issue and stay with you as you get older.There is no quick fix when it comes to aging well. However, the better you treat your body throughout your life, the better your aging experience will be. Most people do not revel in the thought of getting older because for many aging is synonymous with aches and pains, forgetfulness and loneliness. It certainly is inevitable that you're going to get older, but it doesn’t have to be a bad thing.