5 Nonnegotiables For Healthy Aging, From A Functional MD

During an Instagram Live conversation, mbg co-founder Jason Wachob asked Frank Lipman, M.D., functional medicine doctor and author of The New Rules of Aging Well, his nonnegotiables for better health. Despite the array of health advice out there, Lipman recommends these straightforward tips:

While a combination of healthy lifestyle factors is important, keeping sugar intake in mind is one way to promote healthy aging.

Traditional workouts aren't necessarily necessary, but keeping the body moving throughout the day is, Lipman said. Whether it's dancing, walking, or picking up and playing with your kids, finding time to be active is critical for overall physical and mental health.

The importance of getting quality sleep cannot be overemphasized, and Lipman assured us of that. Tracking sleep patterns, creating a nighttime routine, and taking a sleep-supporting supplement are just a few ways to promote a deeper rest each night.

Keeping your mental health in check is critical for well-being. "You've got to do something for stress," Lipman said. "It may not be meditation, but it should be a meditative activity." For some, that means making coffee; for others it could be knitting, journaling, or playing music—this could also overlap with your exercise if movement is meditative to you.

Relationships are a major part of that purpose, he adds. "Find a community you feel at home with," he urged. Hey—it's helped the people living in Blue Zones, and amid the pandemic, the value of social connection has become increasingly more clear.