With all the luxuries that life affords, it’s easy to get carried away in the thick of things and forget how important it is to maintain good health. Our bodies are tools, in a sense, and they function just as well as we maintain them. Although it’s tempting to think otherwise, it’s never too late for someone to get into peak physical shape, even when it comes to Villanova residents engaged in an assisted living villanova program. Here are four fundamental pointers on how to stay healthy regardless of age.
Keep the Mind Active Through Reading
While maintaining a solid physical foundation at any age is key, engaging the mind on a regular basis is also important in maintaining overall health. A happy, involved mind makes for a healthy body. The value of reading cannot be understated when it comes to feeding the mind with lush intellectual stimulation. Books feed their readers content and, in return, ask that their readers transform the words on the page into vivid imagined scenes. The companionship of a good book can turn a casual night spent in the living room into something truly grand. Aside from the rich enjoyment that books come with, engaging in regular reading is useful in maintaining long-term good health.
Donate Time
As the mind and body require stimulation, so too does the spirit. Dedicating a portion of one’s life to bringing joy and wellness into the lives of others can go a long way in raising the spirits, and high spirits bring about long, healthy lives. Of course, it’s important not to dedicate so much time to others that one misses out on crucial personal time — in this case, as in most cases, a sense of balance is key.
Find Passion in Physical Activity
Physical exercise does not necessarily have to be a chore. Activities that are approached with a sense of passion do not come across as “work”. In that regard, choosing a physical activity that is fun and personally engaging is its own reward, though it also comes with all the benefits that a good workout brings.
Prioritize
Stress can be overwhelming, whether it rears its head without prior warning, or manifests itself with increasing frequency over years. Aside from the immediate sense of discomfort it yields, stress can affect blood pressure, immune system functions, and can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. Although removing stress is far easier said than done, stress is something that can be warded off in small steps, such as taking time to prioritize what the truly important things in life are. When listing down life’s priorities, there may come a realization that a lot of stress is derived from trivial circumstances.
Get a pet!
Anyone living a sedentary lifestyle has plenty of reasons to get a pet. Having an animal companion around the house can add a bonus sense of joy to life, and a joyful mindset is the best way to go about healthy living.
