September is Healthy Aging Month

The numbers of people over 45 is growing every year. People are hoping to stay active and vibrant as long as possible. There are over 76 million baby boomers today over 50, and the first of the 82.1 million Generation X-ers are about to reach that milestone in 2015, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

According to Carolyn Worthington, editor-in-chief of Healthy Aging® Magazine and creator of September is Healthy Aging Month, it’s never too late to find a new career, a new sport, passion or hobby. Healthy Aging Month is an annual observance month designed to focus national attention on the positive aspects of growing older that began over 20 years ago.

To get you started on re-inventing yourself, here are 10 tips from Healthy Aging Magazine:

1. Do not act your age or at least what you think your current age should act like. What was your best year so far? 28? 40? Now? Picture yourself at that age and be it.
2. Be positive in your conversations and your actions every day.
3. Have negative friends who complain all of the time and constantly talk about how awful everything is?
4. Walk like a vibrant, healthy person. Make a conscious effort to take big strides, walk with your heel first and wear comfortable shoes.
5. Stand up straight. You can knock off the appearance of a few extra years with this trick your mother kept trying to tell you. Fix your stance and practice it every day. You will look great and feel better.
6. How’s your smile? Research shows people who smile more often are happier.
7. Lonely? Stop brooding and complaining about having no friends or family. Do something about it now. Right this minute.
8. Start walking not only for your health but to see the neighbors.
9. Make this month the time to set up your annual physical and other health screenings.
10. Find your inner artist. Sign up now for fall art or music classes and discover your inner artist!

Follow these tips from WebMD to stay at your peak!

1. Get moving - Exercise regularly to maintain a healthy body and brain.
2. Stay social - Take a class, volunteer, play games, see old friends, and make new ones.
3. Bulk up - Eat beans and other high-fiber foods for digestive and heart health.
4. Add some spice - Add herbs and spices to your meals if medications dull your taste buds.
5. Stay balanced - Practice yoga or tai chi to improve agility and prevent falls.
6. Take a hike - Brisk daily walks this September can bolster both your heart and lungs.
7. Sleep well - Talk to a sleep specialist if you don’t sleep soundly through the night.
8. Beat the blues - If you’ve been down for a while, see a doctor.
9. Don’t forget - To aid your memory, make lists, follow routines, slow down, and organize.

Fall prevention is an important component to healthy aging. Elderly people can lose their sense of balance, judgment and motor skills as they get older. This results in awkward falls, and with weakened bones, extreme cases can lead to severe breaks or even further gravely complications.