Taking care of our health gets crucial as we age. Although some things, such as genetic diseases, are out of your control, you can still maintain your quality of life by following a healthy lifestyle. Following a healthy lifestyle can not only help you stay physically healthy but also enables you to stay mentally sharp. In addition, it reduces your chances of developing several age-related diseases and prevents you from losing your independence.
You may experience several physical and mental changes as you age. For instance, your bones may get weaker, or your senses, such as your eyesight, might get weak too. Such changes are a normal part of aging. However, by adopting a healthy lifestyle, you can delay these changes and also reduce the damage they might have on your overall health.
Tips for Healthy Lifestyle for Seniors:
Ideally, it is necessary to practice a healthy lifestyle regardless of your age. But it’s never too late to start. So, here are some tips that can help you make old age healthy and fun.
1. Take Your Medications Regularly:
People often rely on medications to maintain their health as they age. These medications might be for chronic illnesses, age-related illnesses, or normal changes you may face as you age. So, it is necessary to take all your medications on time regularly to keep such issues at bay.
However, if you’re unable to take medications that are crucial for your health due to certain restrictions you may have, you can turn to compounding pharmacies to create customized medications for you. But before you do that, make sure to find answers to a few basic questions like: What is a compounding pharmacy? What do compounding pharmacies do? How are compounding pharmacies different from drug manufacturers?
Also, to be on the safe side, always consult your doctor before taking any new medications.
2. Keep in Touch with Friends and Family:
Loneliness is one of the top issues faced by seniors. Recent research has also linked loneliness to depression. In addition, social isolation may cause a 50% increase in the risk of developing dementia or other health conditions in seniors as well.
So, it is crucial to avoid loneliness and keep in touch with family and friends. You can visit your children or siblings on the weekends or ask them to visit you. If you don’t have any family members living close to you, you can try reconnecting with old friends.
On the other hand, if you don’t have any family and friends close by, you can always make new friends. You may feel like you’re too old to make acquaintances now, but that is far from the truth. You can make new friends and improve your social life by joining a book club, attending local meetups, joining a bingo club, and more.
3. Stay Physically Active:
Moving around may get harder as you age, or you may just feel too tired to do anything. But regular physical activity can work wonders for your overall well-being. For instance, exercise can help you stay physically fit and decrease feelings of depression as well. Exercise can also help you manage several chronic diseases, such as diabetes or heart disease.
According to the CDC, seniors need to exercise for at least 30 minutes every day. Physical activity can include anything you enjoy, like:
- Walking
- Yoga
- Swimming
- Aerobics
4. Keep Your Mind Sharp:
As you age, it is necessary to engage in mentally stimulating activities to help keep your mind sharp and present. These activities can include solving puzzles, learning new hobbies, or engaging in social activities.
Engaging in mentally challenging activities regularly can have a positive impact on your mental health. For instance, it can improve cognitive health, memory, and daily functioning as well. Apart from that, it is a great way to stay busy and reduce boredom which can be quite common in seniors.
5. Get Regular Checkups:
As mentioned above, you may experience numerous changes as you age. Some are a normal part of aging, whereas some might require immediate medical attention. So, it is necessary to get regular checkups to ensure optimum health. It is recommended to visit the doctor when you experience any new symptoms or issues, no matter how minor they may seem.
You can also make a list of all new symptoms you have experienced or any changes in your healthy lifestyle since your last doctor’s appointment. This will prevent you from forgetting important information before your checkup.
6. Follow a Healthy and Balanced Diet:
Regular exercise and a healthy diet go hand in hand when it comes to staying healthy. Maintaining a healthy diet is especially important for seniors as it can help reduce the chances of developing certain health conditions and also improves brain function.
However, you don’t need to make any major changes to your diet right away. For instance, little changes such as eating more vegetables and avoiding oily food can make a major difference. You can also add fruits, protein, low-fat milk, and whole grains to your diet to improve your health.
7. Leave Unhealthy Habits Behind:
Alcohol, drugs, and smoking are all extremely harmful to humans, irrespective of their age. However, seniors are more prone to experiencing the harmful effects of these substances. This is because aging leads to several physical and psychological changes. These changes can make seniors more vulnerable to alcohol or substance misuse and may also lead to harsher consequences.
Similarly, smoking can increase your chances of experiencing heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer. So, quitting unhealthy habits such as smoking or alcohol consumption is crucial for a healthy and long life.
8. Don’t Compromise on Sleep:
A good night’s sleep is essential for everyone, regardless of their age. Getting enough sleep can help in improving concentration and memory. In addition, it can also help reduce feelings of stress, boost your mood, and improve your overall mental health.
According to health departments, seniors need 7-9 hours of sleep. It is also natural for seniors to go to sleep early and wake up early as well. But, no matter what your sleeping schedule is, it is necessary to get at least 7 hours of sleep. If you experience trouble sleeping regularly, it is important to contact your doctor right away.
Concluding Thoughts:
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is important for everyone, regardless of age and gender. Following a healthy lifestyle, such as exercising and healthy eating, can work wonders for your overall health. Not only can it help you stay physically and mentally healthy, but it can also help add years to your life. In addition, it can help you prevent several diseases and manage existing chronic conditions as well.