Don’t you ever wonder why some male celebrities never seem to age? And, if they ever do, they age like a fine wine – and seem to get even better as they age.
The thing is, you don’t have to be a celebrity with a big house and five cars to feel good about yourself as you pile on the years.
One thing’s for sure: you need to know the risks that naturally come with aging. Moreover, you need to be aware of what preventive habits you can implement and execute to inculcate them in your daily routine to age with grace.
Let’s discuss 7 of the best practices you can implement right now to give yourself the best chance to age gracefully, no matter where you are right now with your health situation.
Key factors that influence the way we age
Certain factors play a more significant role when it comes to aging than we think. These include gender, genetics, and psychological makeup. Perhaps most importantly, there are also other certain lifestyle factors well within a man’s control that affects how well he ages.
Men who are non-smokers, refrain from alcohol consumption, keep a healthy diet, manage their weight, and keep a robust and solid support system tend to age gracefully than their counterparts that don’t.
Aging puts a strain on and impacts a broad swathe of complex physiological systems. Here are some of the most common factors that aging affects and tips to help you age better, longer.
Manage high blood pressure and combat heart disease
As men age, the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and hypertension increases exponentially, as men and above face a 75% increased chance of heart disease once they get to age 60. For context, women don’t experience the same risk until they hit age 80.
The best advice is to manage your blood pressure and cholesterol levels by exercising regularly, eating well, and quitting smoking – or at least, doing something concrete to wind down your bad nicotine habit.
Sharpen the mind and the spirit
The body always withers. That’s why we have to sharpen the mind and the spirit. Brain health also goes into age-related decline, leading to memory, cognitive, and reaction impairment as we grow old. Worse, this is often accompanied by stress, depression, and anxiety.
Keep your mental faculties in tune by performing mental exercises like crossword puzzles or sudoku, listening to music, watching a movie, spending time with friends and family, or adopting a companion animal. If you feel that your depression is severe, see a professional.
Keep an eye on your metabolism and sleeping habits.
As men age, changes in metabolism and hormone function, as well as concentration, occur. These changes may result in unwanted weight gain or loss, and they may change your sleeping habits.
If poor sleep quality is getting to you, try to stick to a strict regimen of going to bed and waking up at the same time each day. Also, consider reducing the number of naps you take within the day, if any, so that you can get a better, more restful sleep at night. Engaging in physical activity may also help you sleep better. Consult your doctor if you have any concerns about your metabolism and sleeping habits.
Get your testosterone levels in order.
Testosterone levels start to decline at age 30 for men. However, low testosterone that requires serious medical attention is rare and limited to men with chronic diseases or those with a history of steroid or opiate use.
Consult your doctor to determine whether your low testosterone levels require immediate medical attention or if going on a regimen of exercise, 8 hours of sleep a night, and eating right, paired with the right supplements to nourish the body, may be sufficient to address your low T.
Don’t forget to look after your skin.
Aging causes the skin to lose elasticity and thickness, thus making it more prone to injury or disease. Skin lesions become more common with age, such as sunspots or liver spots.
Skin cancer is a real threat. If you notice any changes in your lesions, particularly in texture, shape, and color, see a doctor immediately.
Keep your prostate in check.
Prostate size increases due to age, leading to weaker urine flow and more frequent trips to the bathroom. Inflammation or infection may also be more common.
If you notice changes in how you urinate or notice any signs of irritation or pain, see your doctor. Refrain from using OTC solutions before seeing your preferred medical professional.
Reduce your risk of osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a condition generally associated with women, but men are at risk from this debilitating bone disease later in life. Plus, the severity of death arising from osteoporosis complications, such as a hip fracture, is higher in men.
Regular exercise, proper diet, and quitting smoking and alcohol consumption goes a long way in preventing osteoporosis.
Conclusion
Aging well isn’t only a matter of practicing these seven tips; in fact, health checks and screenings are an essential part of growing old with grace. Ask your doctor what screenings are necessary for your particular health situation – they will be in the best position to determine what health checks you should immediately get.
Colon and prostate cancer are also men’s health concerns. As you approach middle age, it’s recommended to screen for these cancers, apart from lung cancer and aortic aneurysms in men who have had a history of smoking.
Another factor worth exploring with your doctor is your diet. Simply put, what works for you at age 25 may not be what you need.
He says it’s also a good idea to revisit your diet as you get older. You may find that the same diet you had at 20 no longer works at 50.
Lastly, it’s crucial to address heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, anxiety, and depression. In order to effectively manage them, consult your doctor if you need any prescription medication or wholesale lifestyle changes. You got this!
