Coping with getting older – keeping your body active

By Helen Bowman

Your body is amazing – worship it with exercise

While we should all feel privileged to grow older (a luxury not afforded to so many), it’s difficult to feel positive about the subtle signs of ageing as they creep in almost unnoticed.

Our bodies are changing constantly, but for so many of us, we might not start noticing those changes until we’re in our 30s, 40s and 50s, when it can feel like some sort of cruel attack from Mother Nature to make us feel bad about ourselves.

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be talking to several specialists about tackling the signs of ageing. This week, we’re looking at exercise and general body care with Amanda Cartner.

Amanda is an ex-dentist turned Dru yoga teacher who believes our bodies are, quite simply, amazing. Her philosophy of making the most of what you have has stood her in good stead to approach life looking and feeling amazing.

“My view is that we only have one body for the duration,” she explains. “Keep it fit, healthy and strong and enjoy every step of the journey.”

Here are Amanda’s tips for feeling great through the years.

Take on a positive attitude

Know that you are enough. Aim to be the best version of you and leave everyone else to be them. Stop comparisons with others – particularly younger people -and concentrate on being the best you can be.

Focus on posture – as the years slip by our posture often changes. We become careworn, slouching, troubled. Change your mindset by changing the care you give to yourself. Body and mind are connected. Feel good and you’ll look good too.

Flexibility – A flexible spine is a youthful spine. Exercise and stretch it whenever you can.

You are what you eat

Watch what you eat – a good balanced diet and supplements which are proven to enhance the body’s function will help in the battle against age.

Relaxation and sleep

Allow recovery time – exercise is crucial for the human body, but you can only do so much before your body starts pushing back. The benefits of high-intensity exercise are incredible but forget about allowing your body to recover in between sessions and you’ll start to show signs of fatigue and stress.

Sleep is a fantastic soldier in the war against ageing. Your body recovers while you sleep and will ward off physical signs of ageing given the chance.

Learn to meditate and relax when you need to.

Listen to your body and rest when required. As we grow older it takes longer to recover from a hard session of exercise, and that’s OK. Give your body the time it needs.

Join Amanda on her Facebook Page at Inner Strength Yoga or on her website here.