"I Can Do This!"

Positive images come to mind when you hear the word "can", right? No matter what your age, you CAN do something each day to stay young at heart, both physically and mentally. Just start each day by saying "I Can Do _______." Here are some simple ways to feel young at heart, no matter what your age.

Walk. Walking is great for your heart, and it is free. Each day God wakes us up and gives us the opportunity to move. Walk for 10 minutes after meals. Walk up and down the steps. Walk to the mail box. Walk around your home or do a couple laps at the mall. Try to reach 10,000 steps each day.

Get Outside. Fresh air is good for your entire body and keeps your spirits up during the winter months. We need sunshine, and getting outside helps the body absorb Vitamin D which protects your body from high blood pressure. Dress warm!

You Are What You Eat. If you eat chips and drink soda all day long, you will feel sluggish. If you eat high fat foods, your arteries will clog. Your diet is the single biggest influence on your heart health. You only get one heart in this lifetime, so take care of it!

Try Something New. Take a class, learn how to sew, play a new card game, visit a new town, find a new recipe. It can be intimidating to learn something new, but keep learning to stimulate your brain to stay young.

Sleep More. This one is simple, get 7-8 hours of sleep each night so that you are rested for the next day and ready to go. You can do this!

Volunteer. By connecting with others and spending time with loved ones, you are helping your heart and soul. Help a friend, check on a neighbor, plan a family outing, give blood, help at church. All of these things can give you a mental lift and make you feel better.

Spend Time With a Child. Go to a park, head to the movie theatre, visit the library together and read, help coach or teach a Sunday school class. Being around children is a great way to stay young at heart.

Remember, age is just a number. If you want to be young at heart, you CAN!