The pandemic has undoubtedly had a strange effect on your anti-aging routine. On the one hand, you might be exercising more. On the other, it may have left you wondering about your purpose in life.
Mindset can play a role in feeling younger. Think about the exhilaration you feel when you’re working on something you’re passionate about. Time flies when you’re filling your days with a worthwhile and engaging activity.
That’s come to a halt for many people these days and may be even more noticeable as the holidays approach.
Relevance is essential to youthfulness. This year, you might have to look a little harder to find ways to do things that matter. But if you do, it could add years to your life.
Outside of physical activity, you can find other ways to boost self-esteem. Some ideas to increase your sense of worth with the limited options available these days include:
- Picking up the phone and calling friends and family in need. You might not know it, but these people are likely looking for an ear and a voice. Use yours to spread some love.
- Do something that makes you feel good. If you’ve been responsible for holiday dinners, perhaps cooking the meals for family or neighborhood pick-ups could boost your sense of worth this season.
- Get an early start on your New Year’s resolution. It takes a long time to form a new habit—up to 264 days—so why not start now? You may have a little more time and space to focus on taking the reins on something you’ve always wanted to pursue.
Sure, diet and exercise are huge factors in aging. But so is state of mind. Feeling motivated when you wake up in the morning can help you stay and feel young and is central to a successful aging plan.
Devon Andre holds a bachelor’s degree in forensic science from the University of Windsor in Canada and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Pittsburgh. Andre is a journalist for BelMarraHealth, which first published this article.