We often put our bodies through quite a lot while we’re in our youth. As soon as we learn how to crawl, it seems that we begin to test the limits of our bodies, and this trend continues long into our adult years. But what we do with our bodies when we’re younger directly affects our quality of life once we reach our golden years.

In fact, in our youth, many of us rarely think about the long-term consequences of our actions. This is why it’s critical to establish good, healthy habits in our youth so that we can enjoy life once we reach our later years. And if your loved ones are already in retirement, thankfully, there are several things they can do to stay healthy and enjoy their golden years If you want to ensure that your loved ones are aging gracefully, and they’re able to enjoy their golden years, the following practices can help.

Occupying the Mind

Today, studies have shown several links between cognitive health and active minds. Those who engage in mentally stimulating activities such as reading, puzzle-solving, painting, drawing, or building tend to have much better cognitive health later in life. The brain might be a vital organ, but it’s also a muscle. And just like your triceps or biceps, the more you stimulate and exercise them the stronger and more flexible they become.

The great thing about increased mental activity is that it also promotes greater mental agility. And encouraging your loved ones to focus their mind on a specific task will allow them the ability to build greater concentration. Besides, activities that stimulate the mind also make you smarter.

Studies have also shown that healthier people tend to be avid readers, or they perform mentally stimulating activities more often than others. So tell your loved ones to think about that next time they want to plop down on the couch and stream Netflix instead of pickup up a book.

Proper Living Situations

Believe it or not, your living situation has a direct impact on your overall health and wellness. And the same is true for your aging loved ones. After all, nobody wants to get stuck in a nursing home if they can help it. And with many the understaffed nursing facilities, even getting the right medication can be difficult. A few other options for your aging loved ones to consider are aging in place, hospice care, or choosing to let them live with you if you feel that you can give them better care.

Even if you’re able to give them adequate care, you should still adhere to your loved ones’ doctor’s advice. And sometimes this means that hospice care may be required. If you feel that your loved one can adequately age in place, then you should also ensure that they have the necessary structure in place. For example, a network of close friends, family, or caring neighbors is always helpful when a loved one chooses to age in place, as is a home that’s been modified to suit their needs.

Proper Diet

It’s often said that you are what you eat. And even though this can be taken literally at the cellular level, this old saying speaks volumes of truth when it comes to your overall dietary health. Here in the United States, our diets consist largely of junk and of foods with ingredients that are looked upon as subpar by many standards. In fact, the rate of childhood obesity and diabetes has increased exponentially over the past two decades alone, and this is thought to be largely due to the unhealthy food choices that most Americans have adopted.

Each crumb that your loved one places into his or her body affects them in some way. And you want to encourage healthy eating habits, especially after retirement. In fact, some of the things that we put into our bodies can cause major health problems later in life. If you want your loved ones to live a happy and healthy life during their retirement, you have to encourage them to start eating a healthy diet. And above all, ensure that they’re avoiding any foods or substances that can cause them harm.

Living well beyond retirement takes planning. But with a little help and by considering the elements mentioned here, you’ll be able to provide your loved ones with a road map for staying healthy and for enjoying their retirement.