It’s no secret that the women in our community want to live long, vibrant and full lives. But, is there really a way to influence how long you live?

In a recent interview with Margaret, author and blogger Suzi Grant shares her secret to living longer… starting with her morning routine.

Meditation is Key to Healthy Aging

Many of us are most productive during the morning hours. However, getting up early isn’t enough. You need to start the day with the right kind of mindset. Suzi advises that this can be achieved by waking up early in the morning, taking a cup of organic coffee and meditating.

Spare about 10 minutes for meditation as soon as you wake up. It clears your mind and increases your productivity for the rest of the day. You can even use phone apps that are specifically designed to guide you in meditation.

An Exercise a Day Keeps the Doctor Away

Longevity is heavily dependent on how active we are. Many women over 60 may not have the energy for vigorous exercises. Yoga, on the other hand, is easy to do and just as fulfilling.

Suzi proposes doing the 5 Tibetan Exercises, which are a sequence of yoga exercises designed to strengthen your core and give your body new energy.

It may be difficult when starting these exercises. However, once your body gets used to the exercise regime, you can build the sequence to 20-25 exercises a day.

Don’t Forget Nutrition

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Nutritionists say, “Whether you are vegan or not, you need to start your day with protein.” To ensure healthy aging, create a habit of taking a protein-heavy smoothie for breakfast. You could make one from hemp protein, green seaweed, greens in powder form, bee pollen and maca for energy.

According to Suzi, a nutrient-rich smoothie should be sufficient for most women over 60. Even if you are fasting or following a strict 5:2 diet, the nutrition from a protein heavy smoothie should comfortably serve you until the evening.

Sleep and Rest Are Keys to a Longer Life

Want to boost your longevity? Check your sleeping habits. The average human requires about 8 hours of sleep every day. It rejuvenates the body by giving it enough rest to cope with the next day’s responsibilities.

At 60, you may not have the same energy you once had. This makes your rest time even more important.

If you’re feeling tired during the day or just had a bad night’s sleep, take a 10-minute (no more than half-hour) siesta to rejuvenate. Suzi says, “You do not need to have an actual siesta, just resting with closed eyes for 10 minutes will usually do the trick.”

Additionally, stay on top of your sleeping schedule by monitoring your caffeine intake. Avoid taking coffee or any other caffeine-heavy beverage past noon.

As Margaret points out, aging beautifully has nothing to do with the way you look on the outside… It’s about how you feel inside.

Once you take control of your meditation, exercise, sleep, and nutrition, you put yourself on a more solid foundation. And, when you feel grounded, you have a better chance of living a long and happy life!

What do you do to stay in good shape, physically and mentally? Do you eat healthy food? Exercise? Get to bed early? Stay social? Something else? Let’s have a chat!