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(BPT) - You can be one of those people who live in the past and relive the glory days, but I’m living the best days of my life now.
Americans ages 50 and older suffer from at least one chronic health condition, including heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, obesity or respiratory disease.
As we get older, health is a growing concern. A survey by Clarus Research with support from Abbott, the maker of nutritional drink Ensure(R), and the International Council on Active Aging(R) (ICAA), adults ages 50 and older shared their biggest fears, and health setback ranked highest (39 percent), followed by being a burden on their family (21 percent).
The survey found that addressing their fears and prioritizing accordingly. More than half (58 percent) of survey participants ranked remaining in good health a top priority as they age. They are motivated to stay healthy to live their best life. Top motivators for staying healthy and active are being able to stay independent (72 percent), travel (57 percent) and spend time with children or grandchildren (45 percent).
The survey also revealed that adults ages 50 and older are still looking for romance. Nearly a quarter of adults ages 56-65 are dating or having romantic evenings highly motivates them to stay healthy and active.
So how do adults ages 50 and older live their best life? Helen and Byron, a couple from Santa Clarita, Calif., believe they have the answer to a long, healthy, happy life. And it starts with good nutrition and a positive, “Can Do” attitude.
Proper nutrition
Our tastes change as we age, and so do our nutrition needs. Foods that fueled our 30-year-old bodies may not be absorbed and used the same way 20 years later. Adults ages 50 and older should put an increased focus on eating foods such as colorful fruits and vegetables, whole grains and protein like seafood, lean meats, eggs and nuts.
And, when diet alone does not sufficiently provide the nutrition needed, a nutritional drink like Ensure can help support strength and energy needs.
Of course, strength and nutrition are only part of the equation for living a full life.
A “Can Do” attitude
“Stay positive.” You’ve heard it a thousand times, but research indicates this could be a crucial piece to a long and healthy life.
In the same survey from Abbott and ICAA, nearly all respondents (97 percent) said that they believe a positive attitude can add years to their life, and that a positive attitude was important in their recovery from a health setback. A positive outlook on aging lowers level of c-reactive protein in the body, a marker of stress-related inflammation. This helps explain why people with a positive outlook live 7-1/2 years longer than people with negative outlooks.
“Whether you’re moving to a new city, keeping up with grandchildren or taking on a new part-time job in retirement, a positive attitude coupled with proper nutrition and an active lifestyle can open a whole new world of possibilities you might not have imagined when you were younger,” said Colin Milner, CEO and Founder, ICAA.
\ taken steps to living their best lives by saying, “I can,” instead of, “I can’t.” Check out the stories of Bill, Helen, Byron, Jennie and many other “Can Do” people by visiting www.ensure.com/cando.
Can be the best years of your life?
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