Laughter positively
affects all aspects of
being. Studies show
that it is a legitimate
and powerful form
of lifestyle medicine,
and a complemen-
tary option to other
established thera-
peutic strategies for
physiological, men-
tal, and emotion-
al health. It helps
us stay balanced,
energetic,
joyful,
and healthy at any
age. A sense of hu-
mour helps you get
through tough times,
look outside yourself,
laugh at the absurdi-
ties of life, and tran-
scend difficulties.
occur. Healthy aging means continually
reinventing yourself and finding new
things you enjoy, learning to adapt to
change, staying physically and socially
active, and feeling connected to your
community and loved ones.
Unfortunately, for many of us, aging also
brings anxiety and fear. How will I take
care of myself late in life? However, many
of these fears often stem from popular
misconceptions about aging. The truth is
that you are stronger and more resilient
than you may realize. As you age, there
will be periods of both joy and stress. It’s
important to build your resilience and find
healthy ways to cope with challenges. This
ability will help you make the most of
the good times and keep your perspective
when times are tough.
Other Strategies to Healthy
Aging
Acknowledge and express your feelings:
You may have a hard time showing
emotions, perhaps feeling that such a
display is a weakness. But burying your
feelings can lead to anger, resentment, and
depression. Don’t deny what you’re going
through. Find healthy ways to process
your feelings, perhaps by talking with a
close friend or writing in a journal.
Stay connected: One of the greatest
challenges of aging is maintaining your
support network. Staying connected
isn’t always easy as you grow older even
for those who have always had an active
social life. It’s important to find ways to
reach out and connect to others, regardless
of whether or not you live with a spouse
or partner. Along with regular exercise,
staying social can have the most impact
on your health as you age. Having an array
of people you can turn to for company
and support as you age is a buffer against
loneliness and depression that would
make your aging process faster.
Physical activity: Exercise is one of the
major contributors to longevity, adding
extra years to your life. Exercise helps
you maintain your strength and agility,
increases vitality, improves sleep, gives
your mental health a boost, and can even
help diminish chronic pain. It maintains
lean body mass, keeps metabolism high,
and enhances production of cytokines that
the body uses to stay young.
Kepha Nyanumba is a Consultant
Nutritionist working with Crystal
Health Consultants Limited. You
can commune with him on this
or related matters vide email at:
Ke p h a n y a nu m b a @ g m a i l . c o m ,
follow him on twitter: @knyanumba
or Blog: kephanyanumba.blogspot.
com.