To stay fit

With reference to the article “Super-agers may reveal secrets to staying young” (The Jordan Times, November 5, 2015) I would like to add a few suggestions on how to stay fit and healthy in one’s old age.

It is advisable to start taking care of the diet. As one becomes older, the metabolism slows down and excess food is stored in the body, leading to excess weight, which is not good for joints and organs, as it makes them work overtime.

As one gets older, one should keep moving, not sit the whole day eating and watching TV.

Every day one should go for a little walk, maybe for half an hour. Movement stimulates the happy hormones in the body and makes one feel good physically and mentally.

If one has been doing exercises, he/she should slow down gradually and avoid high-impact exercises. Slow stretches keep the body fit and healthy.

One of the best ways to stay healthy and fit, mentally and physically, is to start doing classical yoga known as hatha yoga.

One should make yoga part of one’s life, doing on daily basis some yoga stretches combined with certain breathing exercises.

Keep the mind stimulated by reading. Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.

It is good to check one’s concentration after reading a page by stopping and trying to remember what one read on that page.

That helps stimulate the mind and acquire new knowledge.

Samira Dajani,
Amman