Ageing is better when you're happier

The daily blog of the Heart and Stroke Calendar had these 10 tips to keep you young.



It looks like the keys to ageing well are the same as the keys to happiness. Lots of those points are in my last post about increasing happiness. I especially like the last one, be a kid again!





I really have to pay more attention to my physical fitness. It's on every self-improvement list. Also, eating more fish is something that keeps coming up. I've tried to put fish on the menu once a week, but I have to try harder. I'm so incredibly happy that I never started smoking! I'm even happier that my children didn't grow up with cigarette smoke anywhere in their lives.

1. Stop the stress.  Worrying ages us all – and finding some calm amongst the trials of every day life is a challenge.  Try some meditation – or read our guide ‘Coping with Stress’ to get started!
2. Eat more fish!  Omega-3 fatty acids help maintain bone strength, give us radiant skin – and are great for a heart-healthy diet too.
3. Get involved in your community.  Research shows that volunteering can reduce stress, help with depression – and even lower blood pressure.
4. Train your brain!  Keep your mind active and stay sharp as you age by doing puzzles, playing memory games and reading often.
5. Laugh more.  Release those endorphins and give your face muscles a good stretch by watching a comedy DVD, reading a funny book, or laughing with friends.
6. Start walking.  Just 10 minutes a day can begin to get your body back in shape.  Get some aerobic exercise too – regular physical activity keeps your heart, lungs and entire cardiovascular system in tip-top shape.
7. Stretch your limbs. Check out our blog from last week to find out how flexibility keeps you active longer – and which stretches will work for you!
8. Get outside.  (Slap on the sunscreen of course).  Vitamin D energises and revitalises.  Breathing in fresh air is energising. Fresh air has a higher oxygen content than stale air that’s been breathed in and out over and over again – and a steady supply of oxygen is needed to keep your brain and every cell in your body healthy.
9. Stop smoking.  Not only are you risking serious illness, but smoking ages the skin.
10. Be a kid again!  Enjoy everything like a child.  Live for the moment, try new experiences, take an extra moment to wonder over the littlest thing…a butterfly landing nearby, a busker on your way to work, a beautiful flower in the park.  It’ll help you appreciate life to the full!