Bach Flower Advice

How to stay young

How to stay young

During 2016, the BBC aired a programme in the UK about how to stay young. The litmus test was to see how quickly you could stand up from a sitting position on the floor. Those that could get up quickly and easily without using their hands would live the longest. Those of us who are still sitting down there on a picnic blanket, well, we need to do some work!

With that in mind, we’ve put together some tips to help you stay young. Which of these will work for you?

1. Relax

Hopefully you’ll have a long and happy retirement, and after years of giving your all, now is the time to kick back and relax. You’ll have ample opportunity to read all the books on your ‘to-be-read’ pile, swim, attend yoga and Pilates classes, perhaps pop into Tai Chi, and try meditation or mindfulness. Get out your easel and learn to paint, or invest in a hot tub. Take short breaks or long holidays. Give yourself permission to take time out and enjoy life. You’ve earned it after all.

2. Consider your diet

All your life you’ve been told how vital a good diet is, but as we age it becomes even more important. Being overweight is bad – you know that, but what about the invisible fat in your body? As we age, fat is stored around our organs, more so in women than in men. If you eat a high fat, high sugar diet you are running the risk of fatty liver disease, or storing fat around your heart or kidneys. It’s not ideal. Try eating high resistance starch, found in lentils and chickpeas, and see if that helps. A vegan diet is the healthiest of all as it reduces the risk of cancer, stroke and heart attacks. Too much animal protein will speed up ageing.

3. Watch what you put on your skin

Artificial cosmetics play havoc with the skin. Pay attention to the ingredients in the cosmetics you use in everything from soap and shampoos, to mascara and face cream. Many brands (even those household names we trust) contain toxins and your body has to work hard to remove them from your system – easier to do when we’re young. Now is the time to use natural cosmetics. A simple google search will help you learn more about natural remedies you can make in your own kitchen, costing next to nothing, and what’s more you will be amazed at the results.

4. Don’t forget to go nutty

Nuts can protect us from the risk of a heart attack. Research suggests that people who eat one handful of nuts just five times a week, have half the risk of heart attack compared to those who don’t. Walnuts are the best, so tuck in!

5. Move around more!

Again, you’ve been told this since you were a tot, but it becomes ever more important. If we want to avoid muscle shrinkage and weakening of our bones and muscles, exercise is the answer. Dancing is the best option of all because it improves balance, flexibility, stamina and muscle strength. Exercise boosts serotonin (the happy hormone) which means you’ll feel better, the more you do. It will help you battle anger and depression, and give you a fitness boost, meaning you’ll have more energy to do what you like in the evenings, and you’ll sleep better!

6. Keep a pet

Animals have been found to significantly reduce stress among owners. It gives us a real boost to have someone who loves us, so there’s no better companion than a dog or a cat. Dogs are especially useful as we age, because they have to be exercised and that ensures we go out and about, keeping fit and active.

7. Positive mental attitude

Now more than ever, a positive mental attitude is key to keeping you young. Optimism adds years to your life. If you’re happy and you know it, you can live up to seven years longer than a pessimist. If you embrace old age gracefully, some research suggests you’re at less risk of heart attack (presumably because you’re less stressed and your blood pressure remains stable!).

In addition to this, you can make a difference to your life by using positive affirmation. You need to be your own best friend and make certain you feel good about yourself. Use positive self-talk to boost yourself up. Tell yourself you’re looking good, and that you can do what you want. You can boost your own self-esteem and ensure your remaining years are full of joyous activities and experiences. You still have potential and you deserve to be happy.

8. Keep your brain active

By keeping your brain engaged you’ll ensure your concentration and memory are in top shape. It’s never been easier to do this. You have unlimited access to crossword puzzles, Sudoku, jigsaws, word search and the like, but in this computer savvy age, you may enjoy computer games too – and there’s nothing wrong with that. If you want to be social you can get out to a pub quiz, or something similar, and remember you’re never too old to start learning a new skill, subject or language. Ask at your local library for access to classes or courses in your area.

9. Resist social isolation

As we age, and the people we have known and loved are lost to us, it can be tempting to retreat from the world. While it is perfectly alright to have time away, be wary of becoming lonely. Loneliness is the feeling of being alone and feeling sad about it. Taking up a new hobby or joining a class, or engaging in social activities can introduce you to people with similar interests to yours and it’s a good excuse for a cup of coffee and a chinwag.

10. Sleep well

Nothing makes us look older than a poor night’s sleep. If you maintain a schedule so that you always sleep at the same time every day, your body will respond. You’ll sleep better, and while you do so, the body will discard all your old cells and create new ones. It’s fine to have a short nap during the day. If you are sleeping badly, take a look at your bedroom and see if you can freshen it up and remove anything that prevents you sleeping well.

A good night’s sleep will help you fight the fatigue and leave you ready and willing to take on another healthy and active day. Use this energy in conjunction with our other tips, and you’ll be fighting fit into very old age!

Created by Tom Vermeersch ()

Tom Vermeersch

Tom Vermeersch is a certified Psychologist and Bach flower expert with more than 30 years of experience.

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How to stay young

How to stay young
How to stay young

During 2016, the BBC aired a programme in the UK about how to stay young. The litmus test was to see how quickly you could stand up from a sitting position on the floor. Those that could get up quickly and easily without using their hands would live the longest. Those of us who are still sitting down there on a picnic blanket, well, we need to do some work!

With that in mind, we’ve put together some tips to help you stay young. Which of these will work for you?

1. Relax

Hopefully you’ll have a long and happy retirement, and after years of giving your all, now is the time to kick back and relax. You’ll have ample opportunity to read all the books on your ‘to-be-read’ pile, swim, attend yoga and Pilates classes, perhaps pop into Tai Chi, and try meditation or mindfulness. Get out your easel and learn to paint, or invest in a hot tub. Take short breaks or long holidays. Give yourself permission to take time out and enjoy life. You’ve earned it after all.

2. Consider your diet

All your life you’ve been told how vital a good diet is, but as we age it becomes even more important. Being overweight is bad – you know that, but what about the invisible fat in your body? As we age, fat is stored around our organs, more so in women than in men. If you eat a high fat, high sugar diet you are running the risk of fatty liver disease, or storing fat around your heart or kidneys. It’s not ideal. Try eating high resistance starch, found in lentils and chickpeas, and see if that helps. A vegan diet is the healthiest of all as it reduces the risk of cancer, stroke and heart attacks. Too much animal protein will speed up ageing.

3. Watch what you put on your skin

Artificial cosmetics play havoc with the skin. Pay attention to the ingredients in the cosmetics you use in everything from soap and shampoos, to mascara and face cream. Many brands (even those household names we trust) contain toxins and your body has to work hard to remove them from your system – easier to do when we’re young. Now is the time to use natural cosmetics. A simple google search will help you learn more about natural remedies you can make in your own kitchen, costing next to nothing, and what’s more you will be amazed at the results.

4. Don’t forget to go nutty

Nuts can protect us from the risk of a heart attack. Research suggests that people who eat one handful of nuts just five times a week, have half the risk of heart attack compared to those who don’t. Walnuts are the best, so tuck in!

5. Move around more!

Again, you’ve been told this since you were a tot, but it becomes ever more important. If we want to avoid muscle shrinkage and weakening of our bones and muscles, exercise is the answer. Dancing is the best option of all because it improves balance, flexibility, stamina and muscle strength. Exercise boosts serotonin (the happy hormone) which means you’ll feel better, the more you do. It will help you battle anger and depression, and give you a fitness boost, meaning you’ll have more energy to do what you like in the evenings, and you’ll sleep better!

6. Keep a pet

Animals have been found to significantly reduce stress among owners. It gives us a real boost to have someone who loves us, so there’s no better companion than a dog or a cat. Dogs are especially useful as we age, because they have to be exercised and that ensures we go out and about, keeping fit and active.

7. Positive mental attitude

Now more than ever, a positive mental attitude is key to keeping you young. Optimism adds years to your life. If you’re happy and you know it, you can live up to seven years longer than a pessimist. If you embrace old age gracefully, some research suggests you’re at less risk of heart attack (presumably because you’re less stressed and your blood pressure remains stable!).

In addition to this, you can make a difference to your life by using positive affirmation. You need to be your own best friend and make certain you feel good about yourself. Use positive self-talk to boost yourself up. Tell yourself you’re looking good, and that you can do what you want. You can boost your own self-esteem and ensure your remaining years are full of joyous activities and experiences. You still have potential and you deserve to be happy.

8. Keep your brain active

By keeping your brain engaged you’ll ensure your concentration and memory are in top shape. It’s never been easier to do this. You have unlimited access to crossword puzzles, Sudoku, jigsaws, word search and the like, but in this computer savvy age, you may enjoy computer games too – and there’s nothing wrong with that. If you want to be social you can get out to a pub quiz, or something similar, and remember you’re never too old to start learning a new skill, subject or language. Ask at your local library for access to classes or courses in your area.

9. Resist social isolation

As we age, and the people we have known and loved are lost to us, it can be tempting to retreat from the world. While it is perfectly alright to have time away, be wary of becoming lonely. Loneliness is the feeling of being alone and feeling sad about it. Taking up a new hobby or joining a class, or engaging in social activities can introduce you to people with similar interests to yours and it’s a good excuse for a cup of coffee and a chinwag.

10. Sleep well

Nothing makes us look older than a poor night’s sleep. If you maintain a schedule so that you always sleep at the same time every day, your body will respond. You’ll sleep better, and while you do so, the body will discard all your old cells and create new ones. It’s fine to have a short nap during the day. If you are sleeping badly, take a look at your bedroom and see if you can freshen it up and remove anything that prevents you sleeping well.

A good night’s sleep will help you fight the fatigue and leave you ready and willing to take on another healthy and active day. Use this energy in conjunction with our other tips, and you’ll be fighting fit into very old age!


Marie Pure

Other articles


How to break your bad habits

How to break your bad habits

Bad habits waste your energy and time. They disrupt your life, risk your health and stop you from achieving your aims. So why do we do them? And what can we do to break our bad habits?

Read the complete article

What to do when the spark is fading

What to do when the spark is fading

Why do you feel butterflies at the start of a new romance, and how can you keep the flame burning in a long term relationship as the spark starts to fade?

Read the complete article

5 Signs of narcissistic perversion

5 Signs of narcissistic perversion

Narcissism is a term we often see these days. But what does it mean? It's used to describe a person who is full of themselves or overly vain. However, it's not really about self-love.

Read the complete article

Feeling blue

Feeling blue?

Feeling blue? You're not alone! We all feel sad at times; it's a normal human emotion. Sometimes, it's clear to see what has triggered our depression. Common reasons for feeling sad include bereavement, the end of a relationship, losing your job or money problems. But it's not always so clearcut.

Read the complete article

10 subtle ways to appear more confident

10 subtle ways to appear more confident

No one feels confident all the time! But whether at work, as a parent or in your relationships, appearing confident is the secret to success. Follow our tips, and you'll appear more confident in any situation.

Read the complete article

Mistakes as a Parent

Mistakes as a Parent

Can we learn from our mistakes and develop a stronger, healthier emotional bondwith our kids? To help you identify your weak spots, we’ve rounded up some of the most common mistakes parents make.

Read the complete article

How to be less judgemental of others (and yourself!)

How to be less judgemental of others (and yourself!)

Do you feel you’re always criticising and judging everyone, yourself included? Do you feel bad about it afterwards? You’re certainly not alone! Read on to discover how you can judge less and start to accept things the way they are.

Read the complete article

Being Happy by Yourself

Being Happy by Yourself

Do you ever feel lonely? Do you think it’s possible to be happy by yourself? Being happy by yourself is perfectly feasible. We’ve come up with a list of helpful tips for you to consider that turns being alone into a positive state of affairs. Read our advice here.

Read the complete article

5 tips to survive autumn healthily

5 tips to survive autumn healthily

We simply can’t avoid noticing the changes all around us. Autumn is here... Autumn is also called a transitional season. Slowly and steadily, it prepares us for the transition...

Read the complete article

Revealed The most important things in life

Revealed: The most important things in life

Do you believe that there are certain things you must achieve to be happy? Society teaches us that wealth, health, romantic love, and family are essential for happiness. But are these externals really the most important things in life?

Read the complete article

Bach Flowers are not medicinal but harmless plant extracts which are used to support health.

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