Many of our customers are middle-aged or older adults. Our team at Neuliven Health recognizes the importance of healthy aging throughout adulthood, no matter where you are in the journey. September is Healthy Aging Month!

Healthy Aging Month has now been celebrated for more than 20 years! It’s about celebrating and embracing the positive aspects of aging, while also making plans for getting older and making adjustments to our lives that we just didn’t think of as younger adults.

“We saw a need to draw attention to the myths of aging, to shout out ‘Hey, it’s not too late to take control of your health, it’s never too late to get started on something new.’” said Carolyn Worthington, editor-in-chief of Healthy Aging Magazine — the creators of the yearly celebration. “Why not think about the positive aspects of aging instead of the stereotypes and the negative aspects?”

The old saying is that youth is wasted on the young, and we agree. When you retire, you are free to have more of a social life than you did in your younger days! Take time this month to look around your community. Your local library, community center, church, community college and other gathering locations may have clubs and classes to join to help you make friends, have fun and find purpose while learning new skills and helping your neighborhood! It can be a great way to give back and open up a whole new chapter of your life. You can join them now if you are retired, or start planning ahead for down the road!

You can also experiment more with cooking! As we get older, many of us take more medications that can dull our taste buds. Many people think food loses flavor as we get older. In a sense, they’re right if they’re taking certain medications. So, experiment more with your spice rack, you might find new combinations that make cooking your favorite hobby!

It’s also time to do the scary things, go to the doctor and the dentist if you have been putting it off — it’s part of healthy aging. We should all know how we’re doing. While many of us would rather ignore it, healthy aging needs work, and that means getting checked out! In addition to going to the doctor, check your finances yearly to plan ahead.

A lot of people also like to use this month to set huge goals. Ever wanted to run in a 5K? Start training! Enter an art contest? Do it! Never been on a hike? Get a friend and go for it! Never seen the ocean? Buy a bus, plane or train ticket — although wait until after the pandemic is done to actually use the ticket. Put aside the part of you that thinks you’ve missed the window of opportunity! The 30-year-olds haven’t cornered the market on life experiences and trying new things!

Also, forget about “acting your age.” What was your best age? What’s stopping you from taking the qualities you liked best about yourself then and re-embracing them now? Really try it this month! Drop your inhibitions and pick up those old traits. If you’re retired, go ahead and dye your hair green! Your kid may ask why you dyed it on your family video call, but the only answer you need is, “Because I wanted to!”

For more great tips about how to celebrate Healthy Aging Month, click here!