The Effects of Healthy Aging

Did you know that a few key lifestyle choices can help protect your well-being over the years? Putting healthy aging techniques into practice today can make a significant difference in how you experience your daily life as you age.

Keep reading to learn Barbara’s story and find out how to feel more youthful as you age.

How Barbara Learned to Feel 10 Again

Have you ever heard the saying, “Age is just a number?” For Barbara Bartlett, it’s more than just a phrase; it’s her reality. At 80 years old, Barbara has discovered the secret to feeling 10 again.

Life Is What You Make It

Nothing is more important to Barbara than family. “What makes me feel whole is being with my family,” says Barbara. “They are my heart — they keep me energized. That’s what keeps me young and keeps me going.”

The one thing Barbara has waited her whole life to do is feel 10 again. “It’s important for me to feel 10 again because of my grandchildren and my great-grandchildren. I do all things with them at 80 years old — I’m so blessed.”

Barbara is always with her family, whether she’s playing football in the yard with her great-grandkids or cheering them on at sporting events. Her story shows that life is what you make it — you can find wholeness by chasing what you love and the people you love.

The Effects of Healthy Aging

Whether you’re playing with your grandkids or going on daily walks, finding ways to move your body is one of the best ways to promote healthy aging. For Barbara, one of her favorite pastimes is playing football with her great-grandkids in the yard. Playing with them keeps her body moving, strengthening her heart, lungs and bones — not to mention the mental health benefits of spending time in community with loved ones. Other ways that you can prioritize healthy aging include:

• Challenging your mind through learning, word puzzles and games
• Eating whole foods
• Investing in your relationships
• Nurturing your mental health
• Prioritizing quality sleep
• Stress management

Barbara is a living testament to the positive effects of healthy aging. By prioritizing her health, Barbara has been able to live a long, healthy life, spend quality time with her family’s new generations and achieve her goal of feeling 10 again.

Whole-Health Support at Every Age

At UChicago Medicine AdventHealth, we want to help you feel whole in body, mind and spirit. From primary care to specialty medical services, our teams are here to provide the world-class care you deserve so you can live your life to the fullest.

Discover more stories of people who filled their lives with more living.