They say that age is nothing but a number, but there can be times when that mantra is rather hard to swallow. Age has a funny way of sneaking up on people. You can feel youthful and great one moment, and then, in the blink of an eye, you wake up feeling stiffer and not quite as peppy as you did in your younger years.
This is exactly what As Young As You Feel Day is about. It’s such a great one to celebrate. This annual celebration, which takes place on March 22, is meant to remind people that age truly is nothing but a number. It’s all in your head, and if you believe you’re still young, nothing is holding you back.
To help give you the bounce in the step and the positive vibes you’re after for As Young As You Feel Day, here are ten activities that can help you keep feeling young no matter how many birthdays you’ve celebrated.
Exercise Regularly – Ensure You’ve Got the Energy to Keep Up with Your Young Spirit
One of the best ways to feel young is to tap into what can seem like an endless amount of energy. Being able to keep up with others and not feel like you’re missing out because you’re “too tired” could be something you struggle with.
If this sounds familiar, then it’s time to add regular exercise to your routine. This doesn’t mean you need to join the gym or sign up for cardio classes; it just means that you aim for at least 30 minutes of continuous activity five times a week. The great thing about this tip is that the results are almost immediate when it comes to boosting energy.
Get Together with Friends
Getting together with friends is something you do in school. Even when you attend university and college, you still have a group of friends you love spending time with. As you transition into the “adult years” and the responsibilities start to pile up, it’s very easy for the friend get-togethers to be pushed to the side and eventually cease to happen.
Take this opportunity on As Young As You Feel Day to reconnect with friends. Make a plan to meet up for a coffee, a meal, or even at each other’s houses. Socializing with friends is a great way to feel relaxed, connect with yourself, share some laughs, and feel young and carefree again.
Learn a New Skill or Hobby
Another cornerstone of being young is that you’re like a sponge. It’s when you are busy learning all kinds of information and skills. Just because you’ve aged doesn’t mean you should stop learning, though. So why not enroll in a class or group that helps you learn a new skill or hobby? This keeps your mind and body sharp.
Make It a Point to Smile
There is something extraordinary about smiling. Smiles are infectious, and those around you can’t help but smile back. Another fun thing about smiling is that it helps to give you a more youthful appearance.
Many studies on smiling prove it helps to make you feel happier, lower your blood pressure, lower stress, and even help you live longer. In other words, smiling is one of the best activities to embrace.
Make Sure You’re Getting Enough Sleep
When you’re in your early 20s, it feels like you’re invincible. You can party all night and still function the next day. As the years go by, this becomes less the case, and suddenly, anything past 9 p.m. sounds late and unthinkable. This is why getting a good night’s sleep is so important.
Without enough good-quality sleep, your mental and physical well-being suffers. Aiming for at least seven hours of solid sleep should be your priority. If you have difficulty falling or staying asleep, a useful activity could be setting up a bedtime routine. Taking a proactive approach to better sleep is something your body and mind will thank you for. When you’re well rested, you’ll have lots of energy and focus, and your mood will be much better.
It’s Time for a Makeover
Here’s a question: when did you last change your look? That could be your hairstyle, hair color, how you apply makeup, the clothing you wear, and so forth. People can fall into a rut where personal appearance is concerned, and it can age you.
Getting a makeover could be exactly what you need to convince yourself that you’re still young and full of life.
Start Making Healthier Food Choices
Healthy eating isn’t just a way to maintain an ideal body weight; it also ensures your body gets all the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients it needs to be strong and full of energy. This doesn’t mean you should go on a fad or crash diet; instead, try to eat a well-balanced variety of healthy foods and ensure you’re not consuming too many calories daily.
Your Mind Needs Working Out Too
And it’s not just your body that needs exercise; it’s your mind, too. Ensuring that your memory and problem-solving skills don’t suffer as you age will help you feel just as young as you did decades ago. Some activities that can help include crosswords, word searches, puzzles, and other such games.
Go Out Dancing
A night on the dancefloor tends to be something people equate to their younger years, but there’s no rule about it. Who says there is an age limit to hitting the town and dancing all night? Find a spot whose vibe you can get down with, and that plays the kind of music you enjoy.
Start Checking Off Your Bucket List Items
The final tip is to start checking off your bucket list items. Completing them will give you an adrenaline rush and a sense of satisfaction. You made your bucket list for a reason, and it’s sure to make you feel young at heart.