[Jackie07]

There are few things in life we can guarantee. One is that our bodies will continue to change over time. Given enough time, we may find that our health is challenged by the symptoms of aging. Here are a 9 things to help manage the aging process - no matter your age!

1. Exercise Your Body

If there's one step you could take to improve your health and help you steer clear of chronic disease, it's exercise, according to the experts. And it really is never too late to start. Walk. Swim. Bicycle. These are all wonderful forms of exercise that help strengthen your body and control your weight, lower your blood pressure, and strengthen your muscles. Additionally, physical exercise is also linked to a lower risk for dementia. Get moving!

2. Fuel Your Body

If you will control your weight, you'll decrease your risk of diabetes. Eating plenty of vegetables and fruit helps nourish the body and the brain. Eating lean protein provides another food for your body's muscles--and your brain!

3. Stop smoking

If you are a smoker, the best time to quit is today. You know the risks. You know your body cannot be healthy while you participate in this habit. Quit. Today. Enough said.

4. Develop your Mental Fitness

On a daily basis, we are challenged as our bodies change and age. That not only means our bodies are changing. Our hair is changing. Our energy level is changing. It also means our memory is changing.

What can be done to preserve and possibly enhance our mental fitness as we grow older and change?

The same advice we have heard for our physical well-being also pertains to our mental fitness. Use it or lose it.

As we go to the gym and have a daily routine that strengthens our muscle groups and helps with our cardio-vascular system, it is important to exercise our brain on a daily basis.

5. Read to Stimulate Your Mind

Reading on a regular basis is an important way to stimulate the brain.. After each chapter, pause and summarize what you have just read - by talking out loud about the characters and plot. Join a book club to discuss the ideas from books with others.

6. Listen to Inspire Your Memory

Listening to music, especially the music from our childhood and high school years, is a great way to continually reconnect memories with patterns of musical notes. Listen to books on tape. Listen to the news on the radio. Listen to TV programs without watching the screen.

7. Strategize Your Brain Cells

Working crossword puzzles or sudoku on a daily basis is an important way to stimulate our brains, reaching beyond the normal pattern for your day to day life. In fact, all games involve logic and are excellent for brain exercise. Play card games or dominoes with your friends on a regular basis. Strategize to win, planning your moves ahead. Find new games and explore new interests.

8. Explore New Life

Enroll in classes at a local community center. Take a foreign language class or a floral design class. Avoid monotony. Create a schedule for yourself that adds variety to your week. Plan ways to meet new people. Learn their names. Ask them questions about their lives. Everyone benefits from gaining new friends.

9. Be Grateful

Challenge yourself to see the glass half-full instead of half-empty. Choose to find things to exercise your gratitude. Keep a journal of the things you are thankful are in your life. Challenge yourself to turn the negative into a potential positive. Find the sunny side of life and be an encouragement to others. Choose to be happy.

As our bodies age, it is important to build into your life new ways to stay fit - mentally and physically.

[From Hystersisters]