Most of us don’t care much about the health of middle-aged people, but do you know that making good decisions now can help protect your body in the future.

Your 40s and 50s are approaching, whether you like it or not. And for some people, it will be an unwanted visitor. Why? This is the precise moment when all our bad decisions can come back to haunt us. You are aware of things like a few (hundred) late nights, ongoing stress, your previous love of adrenaline-inducing activities, and even the fact that some weeks chocolate is basically your best friend.

Luckily, we’re not all destined to experience joint pain, chronic illnesses, or even scarier things as we age. However, it is true that as you approach middle age, your past decisions begin to catch up with you. By making a few minor lifestyle adjustments now, you may be able to spend this time living your best life rather than having to struggle with reduced mobility or worse.

What does “perennial” mean?

The concept of becoming “future-proof” in terms of our body’s long-term health is currently gaining traction. The basic idea is that the decisions and actions we take today can support the long-term development of our body. Think of it as a strategy to stay one step ahead.

Sustainability is about living your best, healthiest life right now, rather than suddenly turning 180 degrees if we receive a scary diagnosis or chronic illness.

So how can your body be future proofed? Here are 9 ways to give your body the daily love it needs to prevent future health issues.

9 Ways to Start Future-Proofing Your Body Right Now

1. Eat whole

It seems really simple at first glance. However, food is the solid foundation on which any healthy body rests. Eating a variety of whole foods builds the foundation for a well-functioning body and a healthy immune system. So get rid of processed foods, sugary drinks and snacks, and whenever you can, eat things that are closer to their natural state.

2. Make sleep a priority

While we sleep, our body goes to work repairing, restoring and recharging our system so that we wake up refreshed and strengthened for the day ahead. Your appetite hormones are kept in check, your cardiovascular system gets a well-deserved rest, and more complex functions, including faster elimination of toxins in the brain, occur while you sleep.

3. Water yourself

Rest assured if you are one of those people who do not regularly meet their water consumption goals; you’re not alone. The good news is that even if you’re below 6-8 glasses a day, any amount is better than none.

Buy the most attractive water bottle you can find and keep it handy. Once you get used to the feeling of being hydrated, you’ll find that you instinctively reach for your water bottle and are aware of the signs of dehydration, such as fatigue, stiffness, and even hunger (often the thirsty in a clever disguise).

4. Exercise daily

Our posture, the health of our spine, and a number of other reasons are all affected by the loss of muscle mass that occurs with age. Exercising on a regular basis helps slow this decline. Incorporate it with the knowledge that regular exercise promotes mental health, and you have a powerful combination.

No matter how busy you are, put daily exercise in your schedule. Set aside time that is strictly for you to go for a walk, run, bike ride or bike ride. It doesn’t matter how you do it, the only thing that matters is that you do it.

5. Work in hourly “MOTION PAUSES”

Our various gadgets make life so much easier, but they also help A LOT of sitting down. While we type, scroll, like, shop and text, our poor body is just waiting. The fact is, our bodies were made to MOVE, and today many companies recognize that sitting in a chair for hours every day contributes to poor health outcomes for office workers.

So be sure to set a timer (or use a fitness device that can send you reminders) to get up and exercise every day, even if you’re under a lot of pressure. Before starting another section of work, take a brisk walk around the block or stretch.

6. Yoga for Victory

It’s understandable that the age-old practice of yoga is often credited with reducing stress and anxiety (and even inflammation in the body). Deep breathing exercises and stretching help keep our body fluids moving and muscles flexible. Calming the mind, also improves mental health.

7. Learn about gut health

There is growing evidence that our gut health has a wide range of effects on our overall health. The whole body benefits from taking good care of your gut, including addressing issues like leaky gut. You can also use a variety of supplements, such as probiotics and collagen powder, which may be beneficial.

8. Schedule a digital detox

We love our gadgets. The problem is that the continuous stream of messages, buzzes, alarms and vibrations contribute to low-level stress. According to a 2015 survey, people check their phones an average of 85 times a day. Taking a full break every day can help reduce stress, which has a huge impact on your body’s overall physical health now and in the future.

9. Break bad habits

It’s normal to have a bad habit or two as a human being. However, the sooner you stop if you include excessive amounts of coffee, tobacco, or more than one or two alcoholic beverages per week, the better. According to studies, the body begins to heal the harm it caused the moment you quit smoking and continues to do so over months and years. So instead of wasting time feeling guilty about these behaviors (everyone has them), act now to make sure you don’t have them later.

First published: July 05, 2022, 03:31 IST