(Akiit.com) The future can be daunting to look at, can’t it? Seeing yourself grow older, along with the family around you, and watching as the world adapts and morphs at the same time can be scary. Planning ahead can be difficult to do, but if we want to stay happy and healthy well into retirement, it has to start now. It’s no good reaching the ripe old age of 65 and deciding that now is the time to make all the healthy changes – they have to have long enough to make an impact. Here’s how you can keep your future health in mind as you age.
Make changes now
If you want to be a healthy senior, you have to be a healthy adult. When you reflect on your current life, do you think you’re doing everything that can be reasonably expected to maintain your health? If you’re hoping for a long and happy retirement, quit 
smoking today – tobacco does not lend itself to good health in old age. Try to limit your drinking, eat well, exercise frequently, and you’re already on the right track for a healthy retirement. Don’t promise yourself that you’ll make these changes in the next few years; your future starts today.
Be prepared
As we age, ill health and mental health problems can sneak up on us before we’re ready. Nobody expects to need an old-age psychotherapist on speed dial, or plan their care home before they even retire, but it’s a good idea to have all of these prepared, just in case. It’s an unfortunate truth that dementia can set in before retirement age, and physical problems could leave us unable to work, so it’s always best to have a plan for the future. Consider which elder care services you would like to use, the area in which you’d like to retire, and make sure you keep an up to date will – it can be difficult to think ahead like this, but it’s useful to know you’re sorted when it comes to it.
Keep your brain young
There are loads of ways you can keep your brain healthy in your adult life, which can help significantly as you age. Puzzles, reading, and crosswords all help to keep your brain firing well and maintain stimulation. Regular social engagements also help to keep you engaged, but have another side effect as well: socializing is actually thought to help keep mental health problems at bay, especially in aging people, so a dinner party or a round of golf with your buddy is actually good for your happiness, and can help you age with dignity!
Don’t miss your check-ups
Your doctors are going to be really useful as you get old, but even as you age they need to be in your life as well. Regular check-ups will catch any health problems before they get out of control – they can even save you money. While you feel fit and healthy, it can be easy to ignore the importance of seeing your doc, but keeping an eye on blood pressure and cholesterol can keep future problems at bay, making old age a whole lot easier.
Aging can be fraught with worry, but if you start young, you can help to ensure your health remains good, and you experience a long and happy retirement – just don’t put it off!
Staff Writer; Charles Day