Wellness & Healthy Aging

By Joanne McCulloch

Staying active and intellectually curious, for me, is very important as we age.

Healthcare providers say that doing a minimum of 150 minutes of exercise weekly will do wonders. It doesn’t have to be difficult; a mix of physical and mentally stimulating exercises will do the job. Just taking a short walk most days or taking part in exercise groups like Vie Active will get you out of the house. Not only are these groups motivating, they get you moving. I also take part in activities with my English-speaking friends, which I look forward to each month. We do different things like chair yoga, water aerobics and nice walks taking in the fresh air. Also on the program are video conferences informing us on a variety of subjects that touch seniors.

As for the intellectually curious part, I still work part-time from home as a translator; that keeps me on the ball. There is always something to learn, and I’ve touched upon a variety of subjects and business sectors. No matter what age we are, there is always something to learn.

To conclude, let us never forget that a healthy lifestyle including proper sleep and nutrition further supports both physical and cognitive health, so we can keep on enjoying life as long as we can.