Dr Navodita recommends science-backed habits like sleep, play, leisure, reading, gratitude, and mindful eating for a vibrant life into your 90s, exclusively for Different Truths.
While we have often given you mantras to keep you ahead in the game of life, here are a few plans that may keep you sharp and agile all the way, until your 90s. Scientifically proven, some of these life hacks have the hidden elixir to a healthy and fulfilling life.
Sleep at night is crucial
You must have heard of the ‘beauty sleep’ for women, well. That applies across all genders. A good night’s sleep or sleep at anytime for six to eight hours in a day could augur well for your career and your personal life. It can rejuvenate you, refresh you and give that extra edge required to kickstart a healthy day full of excitement and enthusiasm.
Favourite sport or game
It is always advisable to have your favourite sport or game by your side so that you can destress or simply be with some self-care exercises to unwind. The best form of self-care can be having extra time with your favourite game that excites you and cherishes you as a soul, body and a human-being. It may be basketball, chess, badminton, yoga or simply a Rubik’s cube.
Value your free time
We often think it is good to stuff your waking hours with work and action all the time. While this does mean a whole lot of activity, it may not always be the best thing to be ‘busy’. It is being proven that the best forms of creativity and inventions come out when the mind is ‘idle’, at leisure or without any agenda to work on. So next time you get that free time at home, even without your family members, value it and be there to do something you love, simply meditating, journaling, singing and dancing.
Reading regularly for sharp cognition
Reading is a good habit not only for what it brings to your plate but also because it is an energising experience in the process. Reading brings wisdom that nothing else can. Sometimes you can pick and choose the book you wish to read. Other times, be choosy and build on your readings making notes of what you wish to keep on your shelf for a longer time.
Gratitude is the attitude
A sense of gratitude for what you have received can do wonders for you. The more you feel grateful for what you have, good relationships, loving parents, caring children, friendly colleagues, perky friends, and kind and helpful workers. Be thankful for every little object, human being, relationship, situation, location that comes into your life. It can make you feel you are not hankering for more all the time.
Eat what makes you happy
What we eat builds our body and our mind. Many times, our thoughts are shaped by our very food and beverages. So be discreet about what you allow to consume. It may be a green Caesar salad, a Subway sandwich, a cup full of tea or milk and anything more to brighten up your day. Keep your gratitude statements handy for each sip of drink and each morsel of food.
If you follow these simple gestures towards yourself, it not only gives a way to gratitude and self-care but brings in a sense of satisfaction, contentment and joy.
Picture design by Anumita Roy
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