Aging is a fact of life, but there's some truth to the cliché that you're only as old as you feel. Taking good care of yourself – physically, mentally and emotionally – can help you age gracefully and feel great during your senior years. Joining a fitness center is a great way to help you establish a routine and fitness regimen that suits your needs.

Steps to Take to Stay Healthy and Happy as You Age

1. Stay Physically Active
   Exercising regularly is one of the most important keys to staying healthy no matter what your age. Before starting any exercise program, however, it's important to consult with your doctor. Once you've got the all-clear, commit to exercising regularly while taking care not to push yourself too hard. There are plenty of great ways to increase your physical activity, and at the Y’s fitness center, you can take low-impact group exercise classes that suit your abilities and needs. Once you start to see the positive effects, you'll wonder why you didn't start sooner.

2. Mind Your Diet
   Eating well is important at all stages of life, but as you get older, your nutrition becomes even more critical. You'll want to eat nutrient-dense foods like fruits, vegetables and whole grains, while avoiding processed foods and anything that's high in sodium. Consciously paying attention to what you put into your body will make a huge difference in your overall wellbeing.

3. Maintain Social Connections
   As you grow older, it's easy to start feeling isolated. Loneliness can have a negative impact on your health. Another benefit of joining a fitness center is it creates opportunities to meet people and make new friends. Not only is this beneficial to your physical wellbeing, it also improves your mental and emotional health.

4. Train Your Brain
   Cognitive decline is a natural part of aging. To combat it, you'll want to do everything you can to keep your mind sharp. Always be on the lookout for ways to learn something new. Try taking a group fitness class, take dance lessons, doing puzzles, reading books, or listening to podcasts. 

5. Minimize Stress
   Undue stress is unhealthy at any age, but as we get older, our ability to handle stress decreases. Long-term stress can cause fatigue, memory loss, a weakened immune system, and depression. To keep yourself physically and mentally healthy, it's important to minimize the stressors in your life and learn healthy ways to cope with those you can't control or eliminate. Yoga, meditation, deep breathing, regular exercise, and getting enough sleep are all effective stress-busting habits.  

Ready to Join the Y’s Fitness Center?

The Y’s fitness center offers special programs for older adults, and in some cases, your health insurance might even cover your membership costs! Enroll online or stop by one of our locations to sign up in person.