According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), life expectancy in the United States is roughly 78.6 years. That seems like a long time, but when you start to think about the things you want to do—it quickly begins to feel painfully short.
This can be especially true for older adults like the baby boomer generation who, according to the United States Census Bureau, will officially all be 65 or older by 2030. Depending on how long a person lives, we all have a list of things we hope to do before we become physically unable to do them.
Here are five things you should do before it’s too late:
1. Consider a Dietary Supplement
According to the CDC, Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia (impairment of brain function) in older adults, it was estimated that by 2018 there would be 5.7 million people living with Alzheimer's disease, and Alzheimer's disease is the fifth leading cause of death for those 65 and older. We all worry about the inevitable cognitive decline that can result as we become older adults, but what are you doing to prevent cognitive impairment?
One of the best things older adults can do to prevent memory loss and cognitive decline is to start eating foods that support brain health and taking memory improvement supplements that improve cognitive function. By checking out the Baby Boomer Buyer Guide for dietary supplements that aid in preventing memory loss and promote brain health and brain function, you can find the right memory supplement for you.
Sure, you should be ensuring that you’re eating fish high in omega-3 fatty acids and fruits and veggies high in vitamins (like vitamin e, b vitamins, folic acid, etc.) and antioxidants to support brain health, but it’s difficult for older adults to get all of the necessary vitamins essential for ultimate brain health. Luckily, that’s where a good brain supplement comes in. Many memory supplements include natural ingredients such as fish oil (which contains omega-3 fatty acids), vitamin e, Ginkgo Biloba (which will also help improve blood flow), and other herbs that are difficult to get through diet alone.
2. Take a Vacation
Let’s be honest—no one gets to the end of their life and says “darn. I wish I had traveled less.” Find your perfect, peaceful vacation destination through a travel service like Expedia or Trivago. You could go to the mountains, the beach, or a casino. The choice is yours!
3. Get into Shape
What do most healthy people have in common? Generally, they live an active lifestyle. There is considerable scientific evidence that exercise can contribute to not only overall health but also brain health. According to the CDC, by age 75 one in three men and one in two women get no physical activity despite the fact that older adults can gain multiple benefits from regular physical activity such as the reduced risk of falls and injuries, decreased disease risk, increased stamina and happiness, and decreased pain associated with arthritis.
Plus, according to the Cleveland Clinic, getting regular physical activity is not only good for maintaining healthy adults, but it can also be good for brain health. Since exercise promotes healthy blood flow, improves cardiovascular health, and promotes healthy blood flow to the brain, your chances of age-related memory problems decrease. It is thought to promote better connections between your brain cells as well. Multiple studies suggest that exercise can be extremely beneficial to improve cognitive function. As always, seek approval of any new exercise routine from your health care provider to ensure you’re healthy enough for such activity.
4. Do Something That Scares You
Maybe you’re the type of person who doesn’t like to take risks and prefers to be comfortable rather than feel any sort of discomfort. That’s understandable, but is it truly a good way to feel alive? Whether it’s something intense like bungee jumping, sky diving, or performing in front of a crowd or something more low-key like getting a tattoo or piercing; make sure to make time to experience the things in life that make you at least a little uncomfortable.
5. Speak Your Mind
Things left unsaid can be a troubling thought. The reality is that no one really knows when they’re going to die. Therefore, it is best to tell everyone you care about how much you love them and, if it’s you feel inclined, tell someone off (yes, seriously). Sometimes holding onto old resentments and bottled up feelings for the sake of “politeness” does more harm than good.
For example, a 2012 study reported on by the American Psychological Association found that people who lied less had better health and improved relationships. A 2014 article in Psychology Today explains how “a dedication to honesty motivates us to strive to become all the good things lying helps us pretend we already are.” Don’t you desire to live the remainder of your life honesty?
