With innovations in medicine and a higher standard of living, most Australian women are living well into their early to late eighties. You may now enjoy a longer life than your great grandmother or grandmother, but it is up to you to ensure that your life is also healthy. Since you can expect to live longer, you should do all that you can to ensure that your health is as good as it can be. Good health is a lifelong commitment to taking mindful action. Healthy lifestyle changes can be made at any point in your life, and they can help you to slow down your aging process and avoid succumbing to chronic illnesses. Here are some great tips that you can implement into your life to move towards optimal health at any age:

1. Get Enough Sleep – Make it a Priority

The modern woman has all the demands of a housewife from the past. Not only does she have to keep the house clean, cook and take care of the kids, there is a good possibility that she works full-time outside of the household, so she works two full-time jobs. That list of things that need to be done is not as important as your health and a good night’s sleep provides important health benefits. You need to get enough sleep to feel balanced and rested. It will also help you to keep your emotions in check, keep you balanced and feeling rested.

Sleep restores the mind and the body and women that do not get enough sleep are much more likely to have memory issues and weight control problems. They also have an increased risk of developing heart disease. It is important to avoid any type of screen time for at least thirty minutes prior to bedtime. Turn your phone off and turn off the TV, read a book or do some deep breathing before bed so that you can release any heavy thoughts that will keep you awake.

2. Finally Quit Smoking

Smoking is one of the most destructive habits that you can have. Smoking increases your risk of gum disease, cataracts, osteoporosis, cancer, and rheumatoid arthritis. Women who smoke are also likelier to go through menopause at a younger age. Quitting smoking can reduce your risk of early death by about fifty percent. If you have tried to quit smoking in the past, try again, the only time you fail is when you stop trying to quit.

3. Get More Exercise

It is important to be more active more often. Women who exercise on a regular basis have healthier cholesterol levels and better blood pressure. They also lower their risk of developing serious life-threatening illnesses such as dementia, heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Being physically active can help you to alleviate menopausal symptoms such as mood swings and hot flashes. MyMedici advises that if you can exercise between 30 to 60 minutes most days of the week you have more energy, get a better sleep at night and curb unhealthy food cravings which will help you to maintain a healthy body weight. Getting a fitness tracker can be helpful, especially if all your family members and coworkers have them. When you get everyone lined up, you can challenge everyone to weekly competitions to see who gets the most steps.

Park farther away from where you are going so that you can walk and take the stairs when possible. Walking is the perfect activity to relieve stress and clear your head. Go for a nice walk early in the morning or when you get home from work to help you to wind down. Fitness encompasses a wide range of activities so that you will not get bored. Incorporate some cardio and weight training in addition to regular walks or runs.

4. Have an Annual Exam

See your doctor for a physical examination at least once per year. This can help your health care professional to identify any background health issues that can lead to serious problems in the future. Preventative care is important for good health and is a good opportunity to identify any serious health problems that might otherwise go unnoticed. You can have your blood checked and your blood pressure checked as well. You should also consider a Pap test, osteoporosis screening, HPV screening and a mammogram annually.

5. Eat Better

Healthy eating does not equate to bland or boring eating. When you are eating in a healthier way you can enjoy fresh flavours with colourful plates and many ingredients that you may not know about. Aim to eat fresh, whole foods as often as you can and if you do not have time to cook at home, read the label of anything you plan to purchase. Look closely at sugar content and consider the vegetarian alternatives or whole grain options for foods. Choose foods that are less processed and contain higher amounts of good nutrition. Add fiber to your diet which is found in vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and legumes. If you eat a diet rich in fiber, you are much more likely to remain at a healthy body weight and not be faced with chronic illness.

6. Find Ways to Relax

A busy lifestyle can become overwhelming at times. You can ensure that you get everything done by staying in a routine and scheduling thing in that need to be done. Make appointments with yourself for exercise, for relaxation and for doing some fun things with friends.

Life is a balancing act, but when you eliminate the negative items in your life that can affect your health, you will immediately increase your life and ensure that you lead a healthier one. If you have many bad habits and a few good ones, tip the scales in your favour by increasing your good habits and dropping the bad ones. Of course, this does take time, if you try to do it overnight it is not going to stick. Small changes over time are the best idea, your health is what you need for a long and happy life.

Images courtesy MyMedici