We all know how important it is to stay healthy and a big part of making sure we achieve that goal is to get some regular exercise.

But while it can be a good idea to try and incorporate some exercise into your everyday life – letting the lift go in favour of using the stairs and walking to work instead of catching the bus, for example - you will see even better results if you actually take some time out to get some proper exercise.

Every single day there are people up and down the country who get up early and go for a run before getting ready for work. It’s tempting to think these people are mad but when you start running yourself you’ll soon see and feel the benefits it has to offer.

One of the main benefits of this particular sport is that it opens up a whole new way of helping others. Many of us simply set up a direct debit whenever we want to give some cash to our favourite charity and donating a small amount every month can certainly do a lot of good.

But what about going a step further? If you find you really enjoy running, why not sign yourself up to raise some cash by taking part in some charity runs? These are a great way to get out and about and run in the company of others – which makes a wonderful change if you usually go running on your own. You will also be able to raise funds for a worthwhile cause – some people end up being sponsored to run by their friends, family and workmates, which can raise a lot of money.

It’s a good idea to make sure you are fully fit and able to take part on the day itself, especially if you are fairly new to running. Try and find out where the course will be and go and explore it if possible before the day of the race arrives. Even though these charity events tend to be known as fun runs - rather than being run against the clock – you will struggle if you are not fit enough to run and complete the course.

If it is longer than the usual length of run you are used to, build up slowly in the weeks leading up to the event to make sure you are able to complete the course on the day. Don’t forget you may need to run in the rain or in cold weather, so be prepared for whatever the weather may throw at you.

A regular running schedule can be extremely enjoyable. It keeps you fit, helps you to lose weight and it also improves your overall stamina. Combining all this with the opportunity to help a worthwhile charity by raising some money, meeting new people and having fun all at the same time makes it even better.

If you're approaching retirement age and wondering what you can do to enjoy a long and healthy life in your golden years then consider adopting the attitude of a lifelong learner. Most people think of lifelong learning as being confined to academic endeavors however the lifelong learning approach covers all areas of life including spiritual, social, academic and physical.

Lifelong learning is based on an attitude of constantly growing and evolving in various areas of your life. It is known in nature that whenever anything is not growing it is decaying and this is also true for us as humans. No matter what a persons age there are great benefits to be gained by challenging yourself in all areas of your life including physical challenges such as exercise, mental challenges such as a course of academic study or even other areas of learning such as challenging your limiting beliefs or habits, enhancing your communication skills, or even expanding your comfort zone.

Lifelong learners live by the motto "you're never too old to learn" and this attitude is the reason that people who approach life with this mindset are seen to not only live longer but also enjoy a better quality of life. This can be attributed to the law of nature known as the "use it or lose it" law. As we age it can be observed that those who are considerably inactive develop mobility problems as they age, whereas those who are quite active do not develop these mobility problems. A similar effect takes place with anyone who takes no part in any mentally challenging activity or pursuit. After years of mental inactivity you lose the mental abilities and clarity that you once had and when old age approaches the effects of not giving your brain the stimulation required to grow becomes more evident.

The Good News The good news is that no matter what your age you can adopt the lifelong learner attitude and reap the benefits in any number of ways such as:

- Improved self-confidence - Improved dexterity and hand-eye co-ordination - Learn new skills - Improve memory - Improve and maintain social skills - Overcome social isolation - Improve physical, mental, and emotional health - Improved outlook on life

When deciding to embark on a course of study or activity a good starting point is to think about the things you might enjoy doing or learning. For physical activities many gyms have fitness programs not only for young people but also senior programs as well. Another fun activity is Tai Chi which is very popular with many seniors as it helps to calm the mind and also improves breathing.

Some hobbies that are popular include painting, craft making, flower arranging, pottery and wood carving with all of these being relatively inexpensive and easy to learn. When is comes to a course of study it is mostly an individual choice weather to participate in an adult learning program through a local community center or to do an extensive study program through a college.

Regardless of your individual choices the important thing is to be involved in a number of physical, social, spiritual, or academic activities and approach these with the right attitude. By adopting the lifelong learner approach to life you will not only extend your life but reap the benefits of a quality of life that most people your age could only dream of.

About the Author
The Samadhi Group Inc is dedicated to conscious and abundant living. Stop by TheSamadhiGroup.com today for your complimentary Scent of Samadhi sample.