Ah yes, everlasting youngness as desired by all elder citizens. The Fountain of Youth is a legendary spring that reputedly restores the youth of anyone who drinks of its waters, and seniors have been looking for that drinking fountain for centuries. But the most recent hunter for these elixir of waters was the legend that became particularly prominent in the 16th century, when it became associated with the Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León, the first governor of Puerto Rico. According to legends, Ponce de León was searching for the Fountain of Youth when he traveled to what is now Florida in 1513.
Unsurprisingly he denied it. Since then the fountain has been frequently associated with Florida in St. Augustine.
Of course, the answer to this bit of history is that it is a legend. No one has found it and everyone believes it doesn’t exist. But in today’s realm of elderly citizens there is hope. There is a fountain of youth, and it is called attitude and habits. There is the old saying, “you may age, but you don’t have to grow older.” The passing of time no one can do anything about, but the use of that time is another issue.
Think young, and be young. Act young, and look young. That is, pretend you are a young athlete preparing for a daily race. You have to stretch and exercise to strengthen those muscles, and avoid the fattening diet to keep from bulking up the wrong parts of the body.
Of course, in reality, there is a fountain of youth. It is called a water tap or water bottle. Water is an important element in the body’s health. How much water should you drink each day? It’s a simple question with no easy answers. Studies have produced varying recommendations over the years, but in truth, your water needs depend on many factors, including your health, how active you are and where you live.
Although no single formula fits everyone, knowing more about your body’s need for fluids will help you estimate how much water to drink each day. And don’t forget, there is water in most things you drink – coffee, juice, for example, but not daiquiris. And if you are exercising and sweating, you will need a little more; water flushes toxins out of vital organs, carries nutrients to your cells, and provides a moist environment for ear, nose and throat tissues. Water makes up about 60 percent of your body.
But before any daily exercise program begins the muscles must be prepared, that is, stretched and flexed so no painful injuries will happen while getting younger. Some people use the bed as a starting point to stretch the legs and back, then hit the floor and squat and bend the back, and lean against the wall and grab an ankle and stretch leg muscles by pulling your leg up behind you. There so are many variations of these exercises so do a little research to see what fits for you.
Walking, slow or fast, is probably the best and easiest exercise on a path to youth. Thirty minutes, three or four times a week is a good start. And then increase the pace, the time, and the days of the week.
Don’t forget the water, either before or after, or carry a bottle of water with you. If you can, take the scenic route in your exercise to keep the mind active and not bored. If you can’t do that, then a treadmill or exercise bike inside your place or at a nearby gym will help a lot.
There you have it. You don’t have to travel to St. Augustine to find the fountain of youth. It is right inside you to be activated and used. But it is best to avoid Mark Twain’s advice when in the hunt for this fountain of youth: “I have never taken any exercise except sleeping and resting.”
Patrick M. Kennedy does full-service editing and writing and has published several books. http://www.abetterword.com/ and http://www.funwithretirement.com/