Anytime we think about gratitude, most people often put their health high on the list.
And not much boosts your health quite like healthy habits – including regularly exercising, eating right, sleeping well, and managing stress.
It’s always a good time to express gratitude. And here are a few more items to add to your gratitude list, all related to how fitness enriches our lives at any age. Can you think of any others?
- You’re never too old to start exercising and see immediate health benefits – for your body, brain and spirit.
- Over-50 fitness is a growing trend in the industry around the world, as more gyms, studios, manufacturers and “thought leaders” continue to see the economic power of “older” people wanting to stay healthy.
- You can exercise anywhere – with a lot of equipment, with a few items, or with nothing but your body and some motivation.
- Consistency is key to success, and it’s liberating to accept this truth – rather than to always be chasing instant results or miracle cures, and berating yourself when you fall short some days.
- We can enjoy occasional, big meals more when we’re practicing healthy lifestyles consistently. That doesn’t mean we get to eat more food at them – just that we’re allowed moderate indulgences when we are regularly exercising and eating right.
- We sleep better when we exercise regularly. And is there anything better than sleeping well?
- Exercise lowers stress, high blood pressure, cholesterol, risk of diabetes, and obesity – just for starters.
- It keeps us stronger when we come down with illnesses, and it helps us recover from surgeries and other setbacks
- Exercise is good for brain health, improving memory and mood, and lowering the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
- Staying fit and eating right are the best defenses against heart disease, the No. 1 killer in the United States and many other countries.
- Weightlifting has a greater effect than running, walking or cycling on lowering the risk of heart disease, according to the British Telegraph.
- Exercise is the miracle drug. It’s good for your bones, muscles, balance, heart, mental health and sleep.
- Fit folks are better lovers. At any age.
- Your grandkids will want to play with you more when you’re ABLE to play more.
- Most people love to travel freely. And that requires strength, stamina and flexibility. In other words – fitness!
Enjoy the holidays, other big events, and daily life as much as possible. Offer thanks. And give love – to everyone, including yourself.
We’re here to help you do that with safe, fun and effective guidance to help you feel better, look better, and move better!
Being Grateful Is Good for Your Health
Gratitude is important every day.
It’s good for our physical, mental, spiritual and social health – and it even has a relationship to exercise.
“Studies suggest that making a habit of noticing what’s going well in your life could have health benefits,” the US National Institutes of Health says.
Age can make us more grateful, when we consider the power of our life experiences and our good fortune, along with our perspective and wisdom. Try to deliberately take a few moments each day to express gratitude — to other people, to your idea of God, and in a daily journal. Writing down reasons to be thankful really does wonders to fight self-pity, depression, and bad moods.
When we focus on our blessings (like generally good health and mobility), we’re less likely to be down in the dumps about our challenges or shortcomings (like what we assume our bodies can’t do anymore).
Studies show gratitude improves your emotional wellbeing and stress management. It has been linked to fewer signs of heart disease. Meditating and practicing kindness have similar benefits, the NIH says.
Psychology Today reports that grateful people have fewer aches and pains and feel healthier than other people. They’re also more likely to take care of themselves, exercise more, and keep regular checkups.
Why else should we be thankful for giving thanks?
It reduces symptoms of depression, our urges to overeat, and high blood pressure, studies show. Plus, it helps us sleep. So, try counting your blessings at night, not sheep. And come see us to learn how exercise enhances everything (including gratitude).
Healthy Recipe: Vegan Stuffed Butternut Squash
Prepared flatbreads from the supermarket — such as pocketless pitas or naan — are great to have on hand as the basis for an impromptu pizza. This healthy, summery combo is adapted from one in “The Big Book of Pizza” by the Food Network magazine. To keep the crust from going soggy, the tomatoes are squeezed of their juice before chopping and added to the crusts along with the olives and cheese. Serves 4. — Susan Puckett
Ingredients
- 2 large or 3 medium tomatoes
- 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- Salt and pepper
- 3 cups baby arugula
- ½ cup pitted kalamata olives, chopped
- 1 tbsp rosemary
- 1 medium red onion, peeled and cut into ½-inch-thick rounds
- 4 pocketless pitas 6 to 8 inches
- ½ cup ricotta cheese
- 4 ounces shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
- Red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Core and halve tomatoes. Squeeze juice, seeds into large bowl. Whisk oil, season salt, pepper. Add arugula but don’t toss. Set aside.
- Dice juiced tomatoes. Toss in another bowl with olives, rosemary.
- Preheat grill, stovetop or skillet to medium-high, or oven to 400.
- Brush onion rounds with oil, season with salt. Grill 3-4 mins per side. Transfer to plate, separate rings. Reduce grill or stovetop heat to medium.
- Brush both sides of the flatbread and grill, 2 to 3 minutes each side.
- Remove from heat. Top with tomato-olive mixture, ricotta, mozzarella, onion. Return them to the grill and cover, or place in preheated oven, until cheese melts, 2 to 3 minutes.
- Toss arugula with tomato dressing and pile on pitas. Season with salt, red pepper flakes, drizzle with a little olive oil. Serve immediately.
Article Credit Jay Croft, creator and owner of Prime Fit Content.