Make life an adventure. Explore your world.

You can avoid boredom and depression by staying involved in the world around you. Be curious about the unknown. Get out of your comfort zone when possible.

Take a trip to another country. Learn about another culture. Even if you can’t travel abroad,  you can learn a lot about the world around you by exploring your local communities.

I love to walk. I use walking not only as a form of physical exercise. But walking allows me to explore new communities. It allows me to go beyond the boundaries of my existing neighborhood.

For example, exploring Brooklyn’s neighborhoods allows me to observe Orthodox Jews moving around their community on a Saturday morning.  It fascinates me and gives me a small peek into their culture.

Sometimes I will sit on a park bench and observe the people around me. A dog swimming out into the ocean to retrieve the stick his master threw. Or a child examining a strange rock on the beach. I once created a blog post from recordings of birds singing in Prospect Park.

Exploration doesn’t have to mean backpacking in the Adirondack. Although it could. You are only limited by your mindset, resources, and physical and mental ability.

Eat healthy foods

Making healthy eating a priority is important to age with vitality. Because eating healthy can help improve your energy levels, mood, and overall health. Additionally, healthy eating habits can help prevent chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Creating a healthy diet is a process that takes time and effort, but it is worth it to invest in your health. There are a few simple ways to make healthy eating a priority in your life.

First, try to make meals at home using fresh ingredients, purchased locally if possible. Cooking meals from scratch gives you more control over what goes into your food and can help you avoid processed foods. Meal planning and prep can also help you save time and money.

Second, make sure to include a variety of nutrient-rich foods in your diet. Include plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein. These foods will provide your body with the nutrients it needs to function properly.

Lastly, pay attention to your portion sizes. Overeating can lead to weight gain and other health problems. When eating out, avoid supersized portions and take home leftovers. When cooking at home, use smaller plates to control portion sizes. By following these simple tips, you can gradually improve your health and set yourself up for aging with vitality.

Be socially engaged

As you get older, you may have less communication with friends and loved ones. You may no longer have day-to-day interactions with coworkers. Children and grandchildren may be far away or occupied with their own lives.

Isolation can have devastating effects on your health, especially in the age of social distancing. It can lead to depression and anxiety.

You will need to find ways to interact with others to prevent isolation.

Although social media can have the opposite effect of keeping you socially engaged, you can find communities that empower and stimulate you.

I enjoyed participating in a Zoom call with some of my social connections in the media recently. I also belong to women’s prayer groups from different churches. I think online meetings are the next best thing to meeting in person.

Stay involved in your community. Get together with family and social circle. Attend parties with friends (where possible), or visit others. Your social network will keep you engaged and can bring you much joy. I have long conversations with my sons and youngest sister on a regular basis even though we live in different countries.

I have a regular phone or video chat with friends in Bali and South Sudan. Distance does not have to be an impediment to engaging with loved ones.