How To Get The Most Out Of The Years We Didn't Expect To Have

by Bob Montgomery

Most of us will probably live longer than we thought we would, but making the most of those extra years can be a challenge.

Geriatrician Doctor Alexandrea Peel says one of the first steps to good help is physical activity and the current recommendation is that we should be getting at least 150 minutes a week of moderate to vigorous physical activity. That might sound like a lot but she suggests that most people can walk for two minutes, and if you start by doing that you can gradually stretch that a little further. She also suggests finding an activity that you enjoy makes it easier to do. That can be anything from a sport or going for a walk, just something you enjoy.

Doctor Peel says there are a number of things we can do to make those extra years good years. Things like being socially active, changing how you think about aging, taking care of your mental health, and continue to learn about new things. She points out research has shown that people who are socially isolated have the same risk of dying or ending up in a hospital as someone who smokes fifteen cigarettes a day. We are meant to be social creatures and that social interaction helps us to remain young. How you think about aging is also very important. If your thoughts of aging are negative you can very easily talk yourself into becoming old.

Doctor Peel also suggests that retirement is the ideal time to move on to something new, either pursue a hobby that you didn't have time for in the past or find a new hobby that you didn't have time for when you were working. There are also a vast range of volunteering opportunities in most communities, so that's another new opportunity to continue to be active and likely meet a new group of people.

Doctor Peel says a healthy diet is very important in maintaining our health and she suggests the Canada Food Guide as a reference for healthy eating. She also recommends the Fountain of Health website for information on how to make the changes that will help you stay healthy longer. She also suggests that we are never to old to change a habit. Just because we've been doing something for a long time doesn't mean it's healthy and it doesn't mean we can't change a few things.