I am pleased to share this space with a guest blogger, Carlana Charles. She offers sound advice for us women: it's never too early to think ahead. And guess what? Even you guys can benefit from her words of wisdom.
Check out her E-Guide, "Anti-Aging Tips for Divas."
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Time sure flies, doesn’t it? It may seem like just yesterday you were preparing to start your life with your spouse or embark on an exciting career. Now you are embarking on a new phase in your life, hopefully with the same measure of preparation you put into the earlier phases.
There are many things women can do to ensure that they are well prepared for the later stages of life but for the purpose of this post I want to focus on changes in diet, exercise, mental health and financial health. Please note that even if you may not have put much, if any effort in planning for the later stage of your life, by taking charge now you will be making improvements in the quality of life you will lead later.
Little to no planning to date
They say hindsight is 20/20 and as we look back on our lives we always see things we could have and maybe even should have done differently. Don’t dwell on those things and make the changes now to ensure your comfort and security later. Each day you implement positive changes, no matter how seemingly small, you’re actually laying a foundation.
Why is it important to make changes?
You may be thinking? Why can’t I just live the way that I want to today? What’s the big deal, anyway? Why can’t I just keep eating the way I eat and spending the way I spend and even thinking the way I think? Well, you may not realize it, but each of these areas can impact the quality of life you may lead down the road. If you keep eating poorly you may become prone to illnesses and may even suffer premature death from heart disease or even obesity. If you keep spending without thought of the future, you may find that when you’ve reached the stage where you cannot work anymore, you may be faced with a mountain of death and no savings to cover it let alone take care of yourself. Living one more day without getting the right amount of sleep, not relieving stress and not getting the exercise you need, may lead to disease and a compromised immune system.
What you should change
First off, incremental changes can go along way. When it comes to your diet, I’m not going to tell you to swear off from French fries for life from this very moment or starting tomorrow you need to work out daily for the rest of your life. Measures like these oftentimes take the life out of living and are hard to commit to. The key here is to understand that whether it’s exercise or having French fries, things should be done in moderation.
Let’s explore 4 areas of change that are worth considering.
1. Diet: There’s a saying that goes, ‘you are what you eat’. If your diet is primarily made up of junk foods and meals containing empty calories, you need to change that now by giving your body the nourishment it needs to keep you well and promote long life. Put the good things in and keep the bad things out. If maintaining a well balanced diet is something you struggle with, visit a nutritionist or ask your doctor for a referral to see someone who can help. You may also want to reevaluate you relationship with food as well.
2. Finances: Is your financial future set for retirement or the event of a medical injury? If you can’t answer the question with a ‘yes,’ what are you planning to do about it? It is never too late to make changes. Incremental changes can go a long way but it really is best to have a plan well in advance. If you’re not sure how to go about preparing for your future financially, talk to a retirement planner, or reputable financial professional who is known for giving sound advice to others interested in planning for the latter year’s of life.
3. Fitness: A sensible fitness regimen needs to become part of your life. All over the world more and more people are suffering from obesity, which consequently puts them at risk for a host of health issues, which can shorten their life expectancy. Get up and get moving, but not before you consult your doctor to see if you are fit for exercise.
4. Socialization: Interacting with others can do wonders for us human beings, provided that they are in the context of healthy relationships. Positive interaction with others makes us happier, less stressed and mentally sharp. As you age, don’t become a recluse. Get out there, meet with friends and mingle with others. It will do you a world of good.
No matter stage of life you are in, taking charge of your future is within your domain. Start making these life-transforming changes now. You won’t be sorry that you did. Here’s to a great future!
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Carlana Charles is a Virtual Business Assistant and has been supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs online since 2007. She is also pursuing a degree in Women’s Studies from Athabasca University and is passionate about issues that women face and factors that can impact the quality of life they lead. When she is not working or studying she enjoys reading a good book, spending time with her family, snorkeling and surfing the internet. Visit her website and grab a free E-Guide, Anti-Aging Tips For Divas or join the conversation on issues that impact women at all stages of life and the aging process.
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