9 Tips for Re-Inventing Yourself

LiveLive HealthyHealthy GeorgiaGeorgia Seniors Taking Charge Let’s Celebrate Healthy Aging! September 2012 By Whitney Bignell, MS, RD, LD

“Successful aging” or “healthy aging” is 2. Take a Volunteer Vacation. Many often considered enjoying health without programs allow you to travel and give disease or disability, maintaining cognitive back to the community in which you’re and mental function, and remaining socially visiting. It’s a great way to immerse engaged. However, healthy aging is very yourself in a new culture, as well as individual. It’s important to have a healthy make a difference. For more lifestyle – eating well, exercising, and information, visit staying active mentally and socially go a http://www.volunteerguide.org/vacation. long way in helping you to age well. Dance Like There’s No Tomorrow. September is National Healthy Aging Month 3. – keep reading for tips to help you stay on Physical activity is important to healthy the road to healthy aging. aging. Walking, running, and biking aren’t the only ways to get moving. If 9 Tips for Re-Inventing Yourself you like to exercise to music or with other people, as well as mix up what (adapted from Carolyn Worthington, you’re doing, try dancing as exercise. HealthyAging.net) An added benefit is that dance often 1. Back to School. It’s never too late to requires memory work and active learn something new. If you’re still learning – which boosts brain health. working, take courses to enhance your Ballroom, ballet, jazz, modern, tap, hip- skill set, such as using particular hop, swing, shag, and square-dancing software or business writing. If you’re are just a few of the types of dance you retired, take classes about something can try. Check out your local phone you’ve always wanted to learn. For book for places to take dance classes. example, learn a foreign language, take a class in photography or art, take a cake-decorating or cooking class, or 4. Hit the Road. Travel is good for the soul learn more about computers or and the mind. Planning a trip gives you computer programs. Many local a goal and is often as much fun as universities and colleges offer programs actually going on the trip. Sometimes, through their continuing education money may prohibit taking “dream departments. Another idea – challenge vacations.” Consider day trips (i.e., 1-4 yourself to complete a degree program hours away) as a way to travel for less. in something that you enjoy! Also, travel sites, such as www.travelocity.com or variety of colors to get the nutrients you www.expedia.com help you find lower need. rates for airfare or hotels, especially when booked together. 9. Re-invent yourself in Napa Valley. If you love wine, take a trip to Napa Valley 5. Become a Rock N Roll Star. Or for a wine-tasting course. Or if that’s too anything else you’ve always wanted to far, you can always try local vineyards try. There are a variety of camps and and wine shops. If you’re not a wine workshops around the country that give connoisseur, treat yourself to something you the experience of being a rock ‘n’ else special – dinner with friends, a trip roll star, baseball player, or any other to a museum or concert, or a sporting “dream job.” Recreation departments event. The important idea is to often host senior citizen leagues for celebrate healthy aging! many sports, as well. More September Events 6. Learn to Paint a Landscape or Still Life. National Cholesterol Education Month There are many art classes at local craft Fruit and Veggies – More Matters Month stores (i.e., Michael’s or Hobby Lobby). National Child Obesity Awareness Month Engaging in artwork helps you practice National Yoga Awareness Month coordination, imagination, and Prostate Cancer Awareness Month relaxation. Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month Whole Grains Month 7. Become a Surfer Dude. Try any activity that you’ve always wanted to try but never had the opportunity. Surfing, References skydiving, white water rafting, etc.  Rowe, JW, & Kahn, RL. Successful aging. However, the activity doesn’t have to be Gerontologist 1997;37(4):433-40. dangerous. Going on a longer bike ride  Worthington, C. September is Healthy Aging is also a challenge. For all activities, be Month – Time to Celebrate Positive Aging! Available from sure to check with your doctor first, http://www.healthyaging.net/articlelive/articles/10 especially if you have not been active. -tips-for-september-is-healthy-aging-month- 2.html 8. Eat fresh. September is a great time to Pictures add more fruits and vegetables to your  http://targetgoodhealth.com/yahoo_site_admin1/assets/ plate. Farmers markets are still going images/MPj042763200001.86151250.jpg strong, and most late summer/early fall  http://fairsnsquares.com/Images/dancing1-lg.jpg produce is in season (which means  http://foxvalleylabornews.com/photos/082610/three_ge lower prices). Remember to eat a nerations_skydive.jpg