12 Habits of People Who Look and Act Younger Than Their Age

Habits for Life

Reader's Digest recently posted an article on their website entitled, "12 Habits of People Who Look and Act Younger Than Their Age."  In a society where physical fitness and trying-to-look-younger-than-you-are is emphasized, many will want to know these habits.  After all, who of us wouldn't like to be a little more physically - and mentally - fit?

Here are the 12 Habits (with a few editorial comments):

1.  Get organized.  People who live well-organized lives tend to live longer than less careful types, perhaps because they look after their health better and avoid risky behavior.  (Oh no!  Please, don't look in my office!)

2.  Shop 'til you drop.  Social contact, better physical fitness, and greater mental agility are the key factors.  (I hope my wife doesn't read this! )

3.  Have some curry.  Curry may boost your mental abilities, according to research out of Singapore.  (Does eating curry several years ago during a mission trip to India count?)

4.  Sing together.  A study done among a group of adults found that singers in a group were in better health, used less medication, were less lonely, and had fewer falls after a year than a similar group of non-singers.  (See Ephesians 5:18-20.)

5.  Log on.  Search the Internet to keep your brain active.  (I don't think many in the younger generations will need any encouragement in this area.)

6.  Play with grandchildren.  Benefits include giving you the chance to pass on family values and traditions and to teach practical skills.  (The Bible has taught this for centuries.  See Deuteronomy 6:1-4, for example.)

7.  Don’t retire young.  Researchers have found that many long-lived, successful professionals worked (at least part-time) well after retirement age.

8.  Love your age.  Think positively about your time of life and you’ll live longer.  (That sounds like being content in every circumstance, Philippians 4.)

9.  Embrace thick skin.  Psychological hardiness (mental resilience in the face of stress, anxiety, and depression) is crucial for survival, especially as we get older.

10.  Don’t assume you need less sleep.  It’s a common myth that we need fewer hours of sleep as we age, but evidence suggests this is not true.

11.  Go for walks with your dog.  Dog ownership can provide a physical and emotional boost. Walking together will improve your fitness and protect against feelings of loneliness.

12.  Have faith.  Research shows that positive emotions associated with attending religious services - such as hope, faith, forgiveness, joy, compassion, and gratitude - can help to reduce stress and regulate the body chemicals that protect us against it.

Faith in God -- a trusting, active faith -- is good for much more than your physical health!  Without it, it is impossible to please Him (Hebrews 11:6).  It is the appropriate response to the great love of God who gave His Son to die for our sins so that we can have eternal life (John 3:16).

In order to be saved from our sins and receive the gift of eternal life, we must place our faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from our sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and be baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of our sins (Acts 2:38).  Then, we must - by faith - continue to walk in the light of His Word, for as we do, the blood of Jesus continues to wash away our sins (1 John 1:7).

The 12 Habits are helpful.  We should make the most of life now.  But the greatest thing we can do is to accept God's prescription for eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Won't YOU? 

– David A. Sargent

* http://www.rd.com/health/wellness/habits-of-people-who-act-young/.  Many thanks to Sandy Hall for sharing this article with me!