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At 56, Jennifer Aniston feels better than ever. The award-winning actor credits her simple but effective wellness routine — including low-impact exercise, a nutritious diet and mediation — with keeping her mentally and physically fit. “I’m the strongest and in the most in shape without injury that I’ve ever been in a long time,” Aniston tells TODAY.
com in an interview. When it comes to aging healthfully, she takes a holistic approach to prioritize her physical and mental wellbeing. “We want this body to carry us through the rest of our our lives, so we need it to be on our side," Aniston says.
Aniston has no secrets or tricks for healthy aging — she says she just sticks to a few "basics" to feel her best. “I do the same thing I’ve been doing ..
. getting (exercise), good nutrition, a good amount of sleep, meditation, taking care of (my) mental health, and enjoying life,” says Aniston. Here are some of her go-to healthy aging tips.
It’s no secret that fitness is a big part of Aniston’s life. Since her rise to fame in the 1990s, she has been known for her toned physique. However, Aniston says she didn’t always have a healthy relationship with exercise.
The actor reveals that in her 20s and 30s, she would over-exercise and "go too hard" during high-impact workouts, which eventually “broke her body." She found low-impact exercise after years of injuries and burnout. "I fell in love with it," she adds.
Aniston is a spokesperson for , a functional fitness method that combines low-impact exercise and resistance equipment, and recently helped launch their " " campaign. include a 50-minute "sculpt and burn" session, which invovles cardio and full-body resistance training. The 56-year-old also emphasizes the importance of lifting weights, especially as one gets older.
“(It’s about) keeping your bones and keeping your muscles strong, so we avoid osteoporosis or falling and breaking a hip,” says Aniston. She also prioritizes listening to her body. When she doesn't feel motivated to get up or work out, Aniston imagines how good she'll feel after.
“You always feel exponentially better once you’ve done it," she says. is simple, but effective. "I love getting all of my fruits and vegetables, and a proper amount of protein," she says.
The actor previously said she follows a , focusing on nutrient-dense meals 80% of the time and allowing herself to indulge the other 20%. “I give myself days where I can have whatever I want. I don’t deprive myself,” Aniston told TODAY.
com in January. She also drinks "tons of water." Staying mentally healthy is just as important as being physically fit for Aniston.
She starts every day with a morning meditation, and encourages others to try to do the same. “The world is a little bit crazy right now, and people are struggling with a lot of stress and anxiety. But just take five minutes, or if you have 20, even better.
Do some breath work. If you have a mantra, dial into that or something to center yourself,” says Aniston. The actor is also a big believer in hypnosis.
“I dabbled in that a few years ago, and I’ve sort of jumped back into it recently," she says. Aniston is no stranger to hard work, but she's also a firm believer in having fun. “Don’t work too hard," she advises.
“A lot of people suffer from being extreme workaholics, and you have to have time for you, and TLC and caring for yourself." Self-care for Aniston includes the sauna, often after workouts. “If I have the time, I love to go have the infrared sauna or a steam room,” says Aniston, adding that she’s a big fan of .
She also enjoys , a favorite wellness ritual among many celebrities. She says she got into the icy practice last summer while staying with a friend who has a cold plunge pool. “It’s a very intense experience to submerge yourself in very cold water like that, but boy is it invigorating when you exit,” says Aniston.
Underscoring Aniston's healthy aging approach is a strong sense of self and staying grounded. “I think we really need to put ourselves first, because if we’re not centered and we’re not strong or sound, then I don’t think we’re much good to the outside world in what we’re doing,” says Aniston. Caroline Kee is a health reporter at TODAY based in New York City.
She covers a range of medical news, consumer health, and wellness topics..
