Written By Nicole Babington
Healthy Living: 10 Health Tips for Senior’s
Just because you’re getting older, doesn’t mean you can’t still look and feel great! In fact, these days there are so many things you can do to keep yourself healthy, even into your later years. This day in age there are more people living longer than at any other time in history. With more people living to the ages of 80, 90 and even 100 years old, it is very important that we as a nation become activists in promoting healthy lifestyle choices and behaviors Health, of course is not just physical but also mental, and there are many different things you can do in your daily life that will promote both types of health. Everyone deserves to feel great, especially at a time where some can tend to feel vulnerable, and lost. Here are 10 health tips for Senior’s to promote health and wellness throughout those wonderful golden years.
- Keep Active – We as human beings sometimes have a tendency to get a little bit lazy, and that’s okay! Still, it is important to keep an active lifestyle into your later years. Fortunately, there are many ways to do that! Being active doesn’t necessarily mean running a marathon, or lifting heavy weights at the gym. In fact, staying active is quite easy! Whether it be daily bike rides, or brisk morning walks, keeping active can be simple, just as well as it can be fun. Not only is it enjoyable, but the health benefits are incredible. Physical activity helps you stay at a healthy weight, prevent or control illness, sleep better, reduce stress, avoid falls and look and feel better, too.
- Staying in touch with family & friends – While venturing into your senior years you might find yourself at times losing touch with your loved ones. It is so often that people let the hustle and bustle of day to day life get the best of them, and it is easy to sometimes forget those who matter the most. Nevertheless, it is important to hold on to those closest to you, and maintain healthy family and friend relationships. Keeping in touch with your loved ones provides a sense of stability and familiarity. Attending family events regularly, getting together with old friends, and inviting the grandchildren over for dinner are all great ways to stay in touch, and involved. Even a simple phone call here and there lets them know you’re there, and you love them. Through maintaining these relationships into your older age, you will find yourself feeling happy, comfortable, and at peace.
- Maintain a Healthy Diet – It is known that extra weight increases your risk for health conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, and high blood pressure. Unfortunately, with age the likeliness for these conditions increase, which is why it is even more important to keep a healthy, balanced diet. Along with exercise, the right foods can drastically change your weight, as well as your quality of life. Your diet should consist of things such as colorful fruits and vegetables, lean meats, calcium enriched dairy, fish with omega-3s, whole grains, and most importantly lots of water! Vitamin D is also a strong component in keeping strong bones, and healthy glowing skin. Another important factor in a healthy diet is knowing when to enjoy yourself. Every so often it’s okay to have a piece of cake, or a bowl of ice cream. Moderation is key not just for seniors, but for all ages!
- Visit your doctor regularly – . By age 50, most people notice changes to health including their vision. A gradual decline in the ability to see small print or focus on close objects. Common eye problems that can impair vision include cataracts and glaucoma. Hearing loss occurs commonly with aging, often due to exposure to loud noise. It is important to visit your doctor not only when noticing these changes, but on a somewhat regular basis. In doing so, you will feel more at ease being in the know about your health. Also, by age 50 women should begin mammography screening for breast cancer. As well as men being checked for prostate cancer. You can use these doctor’s visits to your advantage by asking about the latest preventative screenings and vaccinations available. Regular physicals can also be beneficiary by keeping you up to date on your weight, blood pressure, hearing, vision, vaccinations, etc.
- Don’t let the flame burn out – It is easy to let your intimate relationship with your flicker out as the years go by. It is important to know that just because you are getting older, doesn’t mean you can’t still have that teenage love story everybody talks about. Go on a romantic date, take a walk in the park hand in hand, even plan out a picnic for the two of you. Let your partner know just how much you love and appreciate them during this time in your life, you will find the rewards in this are endless and you will be flooded with happiness and love.
- Prevent Skin Cancer – All year ‘round it’s extremely important to protect yourself from the harmful rays of the sun. As we age, our skin becomes thinner, leaving us more susceptible to things like skin cancer. Luckily, although common, skin cancer is also easily preventable. Whenever outside during a particularly sunny day, make sure to apply plenty of sun screen. It is also important to know how much your skin can take, and to limit the time you spend outside. A big misconception people have is that the sun can only affect your skin in the hot summer months. In the winter when the sun is shining, skin is also vulnerable to the sun’s ultraviolet rays, and therefore should be protected at all times.
- Relax and De-stress – When life seems overwhelming it’s important to find a way to allow yourself to relax and de-stress. There are many different relaxation techniques. Many people enjoy the calming sensation they get from yoga and meditation, while others choose to cope simply by reading a good book or watching their favorite television show. Light exercise, a warm bath, or even napping can also help you relax, thus promoting your mental and physical health.
- Find a hobby you enjoy – It’s easy to become bored whilst going through your daily routine. Many people say what keeps them young is that they always try to add something new and exciting into their days. A fun, entertaining hobby can keep you happy and give you something to look forward to everyday. Try gardening, writing, arts & crafts, or even volunteer work. There are also tons of local clubs geared towards seniors sharing the same interests. Another great option is taking a class in something that interests you at your local community college. You’ll find the possibilities are endless when you are trying to find a hobby best suited for you.
- Quit Smoking – There’s no secret, smoking kills. It causes cancer, strokes, and heart failure. Smoking also leads to erectile dysfunction in men due to atherosclerosis and to excessive wrinkling by attacking skin elasticity. Unfortunately smoking is a terrible habit that many form in their younger years, making it nearly impossible to quit. Not to worry, there are many resources and support groups to help you quit and keep your body healthy. It is never too late to take the critical steps to improve your health and combat aging. Quit TODAY.
- BE HAPPY – Out of all 10 tips, I believe this is the most overlooked, yet the most important. When told to “be happy” it is easier said than done. Many people lose sight of their own happiness as they get older. It is important to remember that you must take care of yourself, and work on maintaining your own joy.
Stay optimistic; always try to look on the brightside no matter how bad things might be going.
Think of the things you do have rather than the things you don’t. Your family, friends, pets, the things you love to do, those are all things to remember when thinking of reasons to smile.
Whether you have just entered your seniors, or are well into your “senior-boomer” years these tips can be useful to maintain a healthy and beautiful life.
