We recently had a young couple over for dinner. This was the first time I have hosted in our new home, so I am still figuring out how to use my space. Anyway, as we exchanged our life history with each other, I found myself sharing how I have taught classes to the senior population. I had to pause a moment when I realized I am now in my own demographics! Time has certainly flown by, and I can’t believe I will be turning the big 6-0 on Thursday! I celebrate all my birthdays to honor my Dad, who died on my birthday but desperately tried to live past October 1. As my age increases, I also revel the fact that I’ve made it past most of my relatives who died in their 50s.

I wrote my book Fit Over 50 because I wanted to know how to beat the odds, and I uncovered research on the importance of cardiovascular exercise, muscle strengthening, flexibility stretching, rest, and a healthy diet. I was pleased to discover that 75 percent of the aging process is up to us with only 25 percent being genetics. This means what we do or don’t do makes the biggest impact on the quality of our lives.

I have since been an advocate for mental and emotional health along with stress management, thus my love of Hatha Yoga. I would like to share some secrets experts in Japan have found to longevity. They have the world’s highest population of people over the age of 100, so let’s pay attention!

• Without purpose, people will perish. This is a Biblical principle! Without purpose, we begin to feel useless and worthless. This, in turn, shuts the brain’s survival mechanisms off, and our brains deteriorate rapidly. The brain says, “Why bother trying to stay alert if we have no purpose?” If you don’t have a passion, find one! Get involved with a cause. Do something meaningful!
• Atrophy happens to the brain just like our muscles. Flooding our brains with useless, senseless social media crap is rotting our brains. Remember the saying “Boob tube.” Well, we have access now 24/7 to garbage! Consuming such junk paralyzes neural plasticity in the brain, and without complex cognitive challenges, the brain simply shrinks. Don’t shy away from something that frightens you! Try doing something new and get out of your comfort zone.
• Muscle deterioration has a domino effect. When we have weak muscles, the bones become frail and thin, and the brain decides we no longer need them. This accelerates the loss and sets death in motion. Stay strong! Resistance training is essential for all ages, but the older we get, it become more about longevity than appearance. What doesn’t move, rusts.
• Time in nature is paramount. Living in our artificial world and overprotecting our skin blocks Vitamin D from absorbing into our system, and this sabotages the body’s circadian rhythm. This then messes up the calibration of the endocrine system. Hmmm. Could this be why sleeping becomes so difficult? Get outside! Breathe in fresh air and get some sunshine.
• Unforgiveness is killing you. Resentment is toxic! We may think the person does not deserve our forgiveness, but we must flip that around. WE deserve health and happiness. Unresolved emotional issues and unhealthy relationship ties keep us on high alert, forcing our “fight or flight” stress response to get stuck, elevating C-reactive protein, which increases harmful inflammation. Let it go and give it to God!
• Drink water or die. Dehydration is destroying our health at a cellular level. When we grab food instead of water or quench our thirst with sugary options, we are preventing our body from being nourished. Our muscles and brains are 75 percent water, so we need to ensure we are hydrating enough to keep cells from breaking down. Cancer is DISEASED cells. Don’t give cancer a foothold! You can pay attention to your urine. If it is dark, you are very dehydrated. If it is clear, you are over hydrated and losing vital nutrients. Aim for a light yellow.
• You are never too old to stop learning! When we aren’t inquisitive or we don’t challenge our minds, the creative synapses in our brains go dorment. Stop learning long enough, and you won’t be able to get them back. Feed your brain stimulus, positive thoughts, new ideas, and keep your brain young!
• Medicines are harming you more than helping. Medicine has its place, but unfortunately, we have elevated it to the top and first place we go. Instead of medicating problems, we need to take the time to get to the root cause. ALL medicine taxes the liver and kidney and will cause systemic toxicity. Healthy cells cannot thrive in this environment. Be willing to try alternative treatments that will heal you, not harm you.
• Keep a youthful outlook. Cynicism and bitterness block healthy dopamine receptors that maintain mental youthfulness. We can get into the habit of focusing on what we’ve lost, what hurts, and what we can’t do. Fight it with all of your might! Concentrate on the what you still have, be grateful for what you can do, and you might find your aches lessen. Pain starts in the brain!

I know aging doesn’t always feel like the golden years, but we have the ability to improve the quality of our lives with these secrets along with maintaining an active lifestyle. Haven’t read my book? Get Fit Over 50 now (starts in your 30s and takes you to 100) and make this the best chapter of life yet.