I’ve started working on my 2026 New Year’s Resolutions – resolutions that each January barely make it out of the starting gate –all but forgotten 31 days later as we slide into cold, wet and windy February.
 
While devising my list, I unexpectedly came across this tidbit: there actually is an International Self-Care Day – celebrated annually and nationwide on July 24th. Established by the International Self-Care Foundation (ISAF), the day serves as a reminder to prioritize self-care and make it a daily routine. The date, 7/24, symbolizes that self-care’s benefits are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
 
Absolutely brilliant.

If we want to live to a ripe old age relatively mobile, cognizant and engaged, it’s time to educate ourselves on what benefits are derived from our positive actions. Knowing we should exercise more is one thing, but getting in touch with how it actually benefits us is much more effective and motivating.
 
Don’t we all want to live a long time only if we are in good enough shape to enjoy it? 
It doesn’t happen by magical thinking.
It happens by doing.
 
We all hear how following simple steps can prevent physical and cognitive decline as we age. Rarely, though, is the benefit of actually following through with each action ever emphasized.



Walking consistently at a brisk pace reduces the risk of dementia, cancer, heart disease and diabetes. (That should get us off the couch and into our walking shoes.)



Staying hydrated slows wrinkle formation ladies! (Love this conclusion). Drinking water (not Cokes – like I have been doing lately at an alarming rate) helps us maintain our energy levels and reduces fatigue. (Is that why I doze off mid-afternoon after guzzling down a can of Coke Classic?) 

Drinking water regularly and incorporating fruits and veggies high in water content (like cucumbers, oranges and watermelons) into our diets promotes endless amounts of good things:

Aids in digestion. (I’d love to ax my twice daily habit of swallowing a Nexium.)Prevents constipation. (Don’t even get me started.)Improves concentration, alertness and cognitive performance. (More cokes = more memory loss. Duh.)  Keeps joints lubricated, reduces pain and stiffness.Promotes a feeling of fullness, which may help with weight management. (OMG – how did I not know this?????)Regulates our blood pressure, supports effective circulation and heart function.

Knowing all the benefits tied into staying hydrated will surely help me pass on that bright red can of Coke Classic. 



Limiting salt intake and consuming alcohol moderately can prevent obesity, hypertension and increased strain on our hearts and blood vessels. (I salt BEFORE even tasting. Oh my!)



Healthy sleep habits lead to restorative rest.
Older adults (like me) need slightly less sleep than younger human beings – perhaps 7-8 hours per night. (Another failure on my part – I’m lucky if I get five.) 
And continuous uninterrupted sleep is best. (I haven’t had a night like that in years – leg cramps, restless legs, night sweats and bladder issues keep me busy throughout the wee hours.)
A good night’s sleep is important:

It lowers risk of heart disease, depression and dementia. It enhances brain function, brainstorming and idea germination. It boosts energy levels.It prevents cognitive decline and impaired decision making.It regulates our moods. (When I’m tired, all looks bleak and feels overwhelming. When I’m rested? I can conquer the world.)It strengthens our immune systems, repairs tissues and builds muscles so we can more effectively ward off illness and infections. (Who wants to be sick all the time?)

 We can all talk-the-talk, but when it comes to healthy aging, we need to literally and figuratively walk-the-walk. 

Why? Because personal responsibility and accountability matters.



Keep Preserving Your Bloom,