When I was writing my book, Too Young to Get Old, I spent ages researching the most effective ways of keeping fit, vibrant and viable. And I’m continuing to keep an eye out for any advice and information that will help us keep young in body, mind and spirit.
So keep a check on this page, because it will alter as I discover new information.
But for starters, here are some of the things I’ve learned that I think we should all take on board.
- Keep as active as possible. This not only benefits our physical health, but it also sharpens up the brain. In fact research shows that exercise can increase the volume of certain parts of the brain – thus keeping it healthier. Frankly, this fact alone motivates me to be as active as I possibly can be.
- Keep up your tally of friends. There are huge health benefits to having a strong social network. Did you know that a recent study reported that loneliness is as bad for us as smoking?
- Keep your brain stimulated by doing routine things in unusual ways – such as ironing with the ‘wrong’ hand. Better still, learn a musical instrument or a new language. Nothing ages you more than a brain that is slowing down.
- Don’t retire – at least not in the conventional way that our parents did. You might want to stop working at what you’ve been doing for the past 30 years, but replace it with a structured life that has plenty of stimulus in it. If you don’t need to earn a living, think about volunteering on a regular basis. Looking around at people in our generation who have ‘retired’ – they often quite suddenly seem to get doddery and slower and more frail. Do you want that? No, me neither. Work keeps you young!
To get a copy of Too Young to Get Old via the Amazon website, click here.
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‘This is a great, exhuberant romp of a book, ful of wit and wisdom, delivered with a light-hearted touch … It’s like having a warm, wise and sympathetic best friend.’ Patsy Westcott, health writer
‘I would defy any woman of 50-65 not to find dozens of useful snippets within the pages.’ Julia Glass |