There is a natural deterioration that happens as humans age but staying on top of your health when you hit those senior years is still a priority. Thankfully, many options remain open as you get older when it. comes to looking after your health, so it doesn’t have to be an insurmountable task. This is a guide on how to stay healthy as a senior.
Maintain a Proper Diet
The older you get, the more likely it is that conditions like diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure start to manifest — all serious in their own right, but manageable with some mindful mealtimes. To avoid becoming too overweight and increasing the chance of mobility issues, and to combat threatening conditions such as those mentioned above, what you eat is a vital consideration. The key is to strike a balance between the sweet treats and the vegetables, just like when you were younger. However, sugary snacks tend to have an enhanced effect on the older body so, everything is in moderation.
Supplement if Necessary
Across the world, people are staying older for longer, with close to 50 million US citizens aged 60 and above. This can be partly attributed to supplements and better medical awareness. People are living longer because they have the tools to do so. If the day comes when you need a vitamin or a tablet to lend a helping hand, take it! There is no shame at all in accepting support, and supplements are there to perform this purpose.
Attend Your Check-Ups
Regular check-ups are essential. Your medical practitioner will schedule them on your behalf, but it’s your job to show up. These appointments are in place to check for health red flags, support mental well-being, and any general concerns you may need to bring to attention. Regular blood tests are better capable of monitoring any deficiencies or infections and are one of the easiest ways to spot a lack of vitamins or similar.
Exercise
Exercise can feel difficult to do as you age. Sometimes, random joint pain and muscular issues set in, and they cause an onset of mobility problems. Gentle movement in one form or other sounds counterintuitive when you are in pain, but it has proven time and again to be effective in slowing the risks and preventing the problem from exacerbating. A walking group or senior yoga are both great options, but if you are looking from something more, or something more substantial, click here to read about a branch of senior gym memberships that focus on exercise regimes for the aging population.
Socialize
Physical health is relevant and needs to be looked after, but mental health is just as important. This might be discussed at your regular check-up or managed with the help of a close friend, but it is a conversation worth having. One of the most accessible ways to combat poor mental health such as depression or anxiety is through maintaining an active social life. The benefits are undeniable and feeling in control of your mind enables an enhanced ability to engage with physical health too. It doesn’t have to be anything too epic; a peaceful catch up with an old friend over a cup of something warm is more than enough to combat the dark days from creeping in. If you are looking for something more, local communities often have support groups or activity sessions where people come together to learn a new skill or generally socialize.
Sleep Schedules
Some top tips that benefit seniors specifically are:
- No daytime naps because they can throw the whole night routine off track. If there is no avoiding an afternoon slumber, try to keep it to an hour.
- Try to keep up with a sleep routine, going to bed at the same time (within reason) every night.
- Wake up in the morning and don’t let yourself lie in bed for hours at a time while awake. It’s important to stay motivated for the day ahead and the longer you lay in wait, the less likely that is to happen.
Personal Hygiene
Immune systems worsen as the years tick by. The result of this is an increased vulnerability to disease and viruses taking hold. Because elderly people have an increased risk of complications, it is in their best interests to take prevention steps to deflect and protect. Something as small as regular hand washing stops the spread of harmful infiltrators and when combined with regular bathing, clothes washing and linen changes, the risk decreases further.
Staying healthy as a senior is more complicated than in the earlier years, but it is manageable with the proper guidance and engagement.
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