Research tell us that 83% of Australians are making an effort to prioritise their health and wellbeing. We discuss how to take a holistic approach to living and ageing well.
Taking a holistic approach to living and ageing well
Across all generations, we’re taking our health seriously - research tell us that 83% of Australians are making an effort to prioritise their health and wellbeing.8 One of the upsides to living through a pandemic is the recognition that ‘being healthy’ means more than just our physical wellbeing. It also includes our mental health and emotional and social wellbeing too.
This is something that the ‘blue zones’ have known for a while. Blue zones are regions around the world where the populations have unusually high numbers of centenarians. Researchers have distilled the habits that may contribute to the long lives of these communities into 9 traits:
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Regular physical activity that is a part of the lifestyle like walking to the shops rather than using a vehicle.
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Having something meaningful that motivates you to get up every day.
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Rhythms and rituals that reduce stress. In Okinawa the women enjoy tea ceremonies, the Loma Linda religious community has prayer groups and in Italy and Greece the siesta fills the stress release gap.
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A healthy plant-based diet, that's also low in meat, fish and dairy.
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Not just a healthy diet but eating patterns that favour being 80 per cent full.
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Blue zone cultures love a drink – but in very moderate amounts.
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Engaging in social groups that are focused around healthy activities.
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Religion is good for long life – perhaps because it encourages social connections and rituals offer a stress-reducing dimension.
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Maintaining close relationships between family members.9
When most of us can expect to live well into our 90s we look at some of the ways you can take a holistic approach to living and ageing well.
Keeping your body and mind healthy with exercise
The benefits of exercise on your physical and mental health are undisputable. While regular movement may keep your body healthy, your brain benefits too. Exercise stimulates chemicals that improve your mood and the parts of the brain responsible for memory and learning.
Australian government guidelines recommend adults do at least 30 minutes of moderate to intensive physical activity on most or all days of the week for the over 60’s.10 Research shows more than half (55%) of adults do not meet the guidelines and 44% of working-age adults spend much of their work day sitting.11 If you struggle to find the motivation for regular exercise, here are some tips to build more physical activity into your day:
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Take up a blue zone habit and consider walking to the shops instead of driving
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Take the stairs instead of the lift or get off the bus a stop early and walk the rest of the way
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Gardening and housework are a great way to get your heart-rate up while getting some jobs off your to do list
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Make your exercise social by combining a catch up with a brisk walk, bike ride or swim
Making eating well a pleasure not a chore
A major hurdle to eating well is the time and cost to prepare healthy food.12 If that’s what’s stopping you from eating well, consider setting one day a week aside to do some batch cooking. Sharing healthy meals with friends and turning it into a social occasion might give you some added incentive. And if you’re stuck for healthy food inspiration, food websites, blogs or Instagram feeds can provide ideas on how to eat well eating healthily on a budget.
Challenge your mind to keep your brain sharp
One 15-year study found that people who worked past age 65 were around three times more likely to report being in good health and about half as likely to have serious health problems, such as cancer or heart disease.13 Other studies have also found that working past retirement age can reduce the risk of dementia and heart attack.14
If delaying your hard-earned retirement doesn’t hold much appeal for you, there are other ways to challenge your brain and maintain social connections:
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Learning can boost your confidence and self-esteem and give you a sense of purpose too.15 Learning doesn’t have to mean formal study either – watching TED talks on YouTube might just tick the box for you.
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Volunteering punches well above its weight when it comes to good health. As well as increased social wellbeing, volunteering has also been found to lower stress and increase our satisfaction and quality of life.16
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Rediscovering or starting a hobby that challenges you - whether it’s learning to sew, writing a novel, improving your DIY skills or learning to play golf – is a great way to challenge your brain. There may also be the opportunity to meet new people and strengthen your social network at the same time.
Be pro-active about managing your stress with good money habits
Having a financial plan can make all the difference between peace of mind and feeling stressed about the future. It’s also something achievable to work towards. A good financial plan is focused on your financial goals and desires for the future. It can bring a number of benefits, including lower stress, a greater feeling of financial security and happier relationships. A survey by the Financial Services Council estimates that those who get financial advice accumulate three times more assets after 15 years than those who make their own decisions.17
Having an estate plan is also key to avoiding future stress. With a good estate plan, you can feel assured that everything is legally in place to carry out your wishes and look after the people closest to you. It’s an essential part of planning for the future and it’s never too early to get started.
We’re here to help
With the help of an Aware Super financial planner, you can make sure your spending and saving is on track to help you reach your long-term goals, whatever they may be. Call us on 1800 620 305 to book an obligation-free appointment.
