Maintenance is a part of our everyday life. We must keep up with the maintenance on our car so that it runs properly and gets us from point A to point B.

We must keep up with the maintenance around our home so it’s clean and not a hazard to us. And we must keep up with the maintenance on ourselves so we can live life to the best of our ability.

Different studies and different resources all have their own spin on what they consider to be the most important things to focus on as we age healthily. While some resources may include topics like sleep and lifelong learning, there is typically a consensus on what is a core common five pillars to healthy aging: physical activity, nutrition, social engagement, cognitive stimulation and mental well-being.

Physical activity has been proven to be very important when preventing or limiting the effects of chronic diseases, like diabetes or high cholesterol.

Exercise also improves cognitive function, reducing the risks of developing dementia and / or depression. And of course, working out also improves our mobility and balance. This leads to less risk of falls and injuries from fall-related experiences.

Nutrition is important no matter our age. By having a balanced diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, we can support an overall healthy lifestyle. Our diets directly affect our muscle mass, bone health and immune function.

The decision to maintain a balanced diet promotes overall well-being and helps us maintain a healthy weight. Studies have also shown that a good diet can reduce your risk of high blood pressure, heart disease and even some cancers.

Social engagement is imperative and affects both our mental and physical wellbeing. By being active within a group of friends or our community, we reduce the feelings of loneliness, depression and anxiety. Senior centers, community events, volunteering, card groups or book clubs, are all activities that encourage social interaction while doing things we enjoy.

Cognitive stimulation is believed to maintain and improve mental function, slow intellectual decline, enhance memory and promote overall well-being.

Just a few activities to mention for mental stimulation designed to keep our brains sharp are jigsaw puzzles, reading, painting, crossword puzzles and games. But they are not the only activities.

Mental well-being is crucial and impacts with our ability to adjust to life changes, maintain relationships, and just overall enjoy daily experiences.

If our mental well-being is at risk, then we will see a negative impact on our daily life, social connections and physical health. Everything is connected, one way or another.

Remember, some activities fall under multiple categories. Gardening is an example of something that encourages physical activity and cognitive stimulation. Exercise classes have positives for physical activity, social engagement, cognitive stimulation and mental well-being.

Find what works for you and remember, there is no one-size-fits-all when talking about aging healthily. There are just categories where people have common goals. The road to the goal may just be paved slightly differently.

Mallory Wiand is the Wellness and HEAP coordinator at Direction Home of Eastern Ohio. Contact the office at 330-505-2300 for information regarding senior-based services and opportunities in the Mahoning Valley.