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Ask HN: What to do to be healthy when old?

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21–30 of 91 posts

Re: Ask HN: What to do to be healthy when old?

#21
post #7

Eat a lot of veggies Avoid overprocessed and junk food (yes, you know what is junk and what isn't) No smoking. No harmful drugs. Low to no booze. Exercise regularly. Avoid social media - mental and physical health are related

how do you avoid social media if you use it for your business?

You can have a social media capable smartphone for $100 nowadays, so just buy another phone and SIM/contract and use the thing only for work. At 17/18/19h just turn it off and leave it in office.

Re: Ask HN: What to do to be healthy when old?

#22
Move to higher altitude

Marry someone way younger

Be religious

Walk a lot

Fast sometimes or often

Be close to parents relationship wise

Use moisturizer even in 20s

Donate blood or plasma

Keep carbs very low

Always be learning something mental and something else physical

Eat organic

Reduce omega-6 (grass fed meat has less of it AND AVOID all vegetable oils)

Re: Ask HN: What to do to be healthy when old?

#23
Healthy 50 year old here.

I see a lot of good advice in the comments but the one I don’t see which has had an amazing effect is an annual (or perhaps once every 2 year, if you’re still in your 20s) physical exam with a good physician.

My physician is an accomplished runner and we geek out on things during my physicals. He goes the extra mile on stuff like blood tests as indicators and whatnot.

Aside from that I’ve traditionally been into extreme endurance sports and while I wouldn’t change a thing, except perhaps doing more when I was younger, I’m questioning whether that’s wise or sustainable (injuries and wear-and-tear) for my ongoing health at this point.

It used to take a day or two to recover, but as I get older, it’s in terms of weeks not days.

Re: Ask HN: What to do to be healthy when old?

#24
post #23

Healthy 50 year old here. I see a lot of good advice in the comments but the one I don’t see which has had an amazing effect is an annual (or perhaps once every 2 year, if you’re still in your 20s) physical exam with a good physician. My physician is an accomplished runner and we geek out on things during my physicals. He goes the extra mile on stuff like blood tests as indicators and whatnot. Aside from that I’ve tr…

> I see a lot of good advice in the comments but the one I don’t see which has had an amazing effect is an annual (or perhaps once every 2 year, if you’re still in your 20s) physical exam with a good physician.

FWIW I asked the Australian doctor who was inspecting me, top-to-tail, in my 37th year, whether I should be doing this every year.

“Do you feel healthy?”

“Yes.”

“Then no. No need while you’re young.”

Re: Ask HN: What to do to be healthy when old?

#25

Move to higher altitude Marry someone way younger Be religious Walk a lot Fast sometimes or often Be close to parents relationship wise Use moisturizer even in 20s Donate blood or plasma Keep carbs very low Always be learning something mental and something else physical Eat organic Reduce omega-6 (grass fed meat has less of it AND AVOID all vegetable oils)

> Eat organic

All this is gonna make you is poorer.

Re: Ask HN: What to do to be healthy when old?

#26
In my opinion any activity that requires flexibility, force, coordination and speed is necessary for aging well. It can be acrobatics, martial arts, dancing, yoga, many sports. It is important to find something that you enjoy it by it self. That’s why I avoid plain running or plain weight lifting, unless they are meant to support another activity. And from experience, flexibility and speed really make living in my body enjoyable.

Re: Ask HN: What to do to be healthy when old?

#27

Move to higher altitude Marry someone way younger Be religious Walk a lot Fast sometimes or often Be close to parents relationship wise Use moisturizer even in 20s Donate blood or plasma Keep carbs very low Always be learning something mental and something else physical Eat organic Reduce omega-6 (grass fed meat has less of it AND AVOID all vegetable oils)

Donating blood and plasma is good for healthspan? This is news to me.

Re: Ask HN: What to do to be healthy when old?

#29
People miss one of the most important ones. Have a healthy social life. That includes having a partner that you can grow old with. You have to learn that people aren't perfect, that includes you, and that you have to be realistic and adjust your expectations of others and you.
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