When you get older, you have to start thinking about self-care more seriously. Your body changes, your skin becomes more delicate, and you need to take extra care of yourself.
You can't expect the same recovery time as you could when you were younger. It takes longer to heal both physically and emotionally. For instance, if you try to do workouts as intense as you might have when you were younger and get injured, your body might have a harder time recovering. 
You have to ensure you're properly taking care of yourself. Let's look at five reasons why self-care is important as you age.

Your body wears down easier

As you get older, your body will go through changes that can impact your ability to take care of yourself. 
As mentioned earlier, your body will have a harder time recovering from injuries or wounds. It will also be harder for you to overcome illnesses and ailments.
You need to ensure you're taking care of your body. Eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, and exercising can help keep your body strong and healthy as you age. 

Exercise matters more

Exercise is important at any age, but when you get older, you need to ensure you develop some type of exercise routine. 
Your metabolism gradually wears down as you age, making it harder to break down fat and keep your weight down. Being overweight or obese can put you at risk for a number of health problems, such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. 
Exercising can help offset this change in metabolism. It also helps improve your circulation, strengthens your bones and muscles, and helps reduce the risk of developing diseases.

Mental health also matters

Your mental health matters. You need to be sure to pay attention to your emotional well-being and seek help if you’re feeling overwhelmed or down. 
You might find yourself dealing with more stress as you get older. You might be coping with the loss of a loved one, juggling work and family responsibilities, or worrying about your finances. 
It’s important to find healthy ways to deal with stress. Exercise, relaxation techniques, or cognitive behavioral therapy can all help improve your mental health.
Following specific mantras, like The Four Agreements, could also help improve your mental health and motivation.

You can't always put yourself down

You also need to learn to accept yourself. As you get older, you might find more things that you don't like about yourself, like your appearance or your job. It's pretty easy to compare yourself to others or focus on your flaws. 
It's crucial to remember everyone is different and ages differently. For example, you might be losing some of your hair, but others around you don't. Don't put yourself down about it, though. Instead, think about how you can take care of what hair you have left or other solutions. 
You deserve to treat yourself well, no matter how you look or what you do. You shouldn't be too hard on yourself. 

Still maintain a social life

Don’t forget about your social life! Staying connected with friends and loved ones is an important part of self-care. 
When you age, some of your friends might move away or pass away. You might also find yourself with fewer things in common with the people around you. 
You want to continue to maintain and foster the relationships you value. It’s also important to reach out and make new friends. There are plenty of ways to do this, such as joining a club or taking a class.

Final thoughts

Getting older can be a blessing and a burden. Through age, you gain wisdom, but you also have to deal with ever-changing routines and circumstances. 
However, getting older should be celebrated. It means you still have opportunities ahead of you. You can still enjoy life and all it has to offer. 
But in order to do that, you have to take care of yourself. Make sure you’re eating right, exercising, and staying connected with loved ones. These things are critical to your overall health.

WRITTEN BY

Clara Rose