B Sharp

Things that keep you young:

Healthy and natural real foods.

Natural fats at each meal for better brains.

Movement — easy physical activity of various types. Variety is the brain’s spice, so spice up your exercise routine.

Regular and varied mental activity. The brain loves learning new things.

Music — listen to the music you loved growing up, and new songs too. Also participate — play, learn, write, dance, go to shows.

Seek out healthcare help in reducing or eliminating medications that are not absolutely necessary.

Ridding the body of pain and disability. This also may require help from a professional.

Things that make you old:

Popular misconceptions about those in their 60s, 70s, 80s and beyond. We’re more than capable of keeping pace with younger generations on many levels. Consider that an 85-year-old man recently set a new world record for his age group by running the 10K in just over 51 minutes!

Junk food.

Inactivity.

TV.

Sitting (see also inactivity and TV).

Excess alcohol — for men this means two drinks or less daily, women one drink or less. If you’re not comfortable drinking moderate amounts of alcohol, avoid it.

Unnecessary or too many medications.