Staying healthy is wise at any age, but it becomes especially important as you get older. This means ensuring you are doing everything you can to keep your body in its best shape.
Staying healthy is wise at any age, but it becomes especially important as you get older. This means ensuring you are doing everything you can to keep your body in its best shape. It only takes a few small changes to help you feel amazing. If you don’t know where to start, take a look at this list of healthy living tips to find great ways to help you live a healthy life.
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1) Manage Your Diet
Eating healthy is one of the easiest ways to keep your body in great condition. It’s important to make sure you’re eating the right things. If you have any nutrition deficiencies (low iron, low fiber, etc.) keep that in mind when you plan your meals.
If you want to make sure you’re eating what is best for your body then you may want to work with a nutritionist. They can check what your body needs through testing and give you an accurate idea of the foods you should be eating and the foods you should avoid. Do your best to follow the advice from your nutritionist and your body will thank you!
2) Get Active
Keeping your body moving will get your blood flowing and keep your muscles from getting too stiff. Even low impact workouts can do wonders – any type of movement is great! Some ideas for a great workout include a light walk, a gentle bike ride, a nice swim, or low-impact aerobics. If you are unable to do any activities with lower body usage, you can still keep your upper body healthy by doing exercises with light weights.
Related: 6 Retirement Activities to Keep You Active and Engaged as You Age
3) Take Vitamins & Supplements
We already talked about the option of meeting with a nutritionist who will be able to run tests and see what your body is lacking, but your doctor can help you with this too. Ask for a blood test to determine what mineral levels your body needs and look at taking a vitamin supplement to help balance these needs. Make sure you consult with your regular doctor before you start taking any extra vitamins to be sure that they don’t interact with any medications you are currently on.
There are many multivitamins you can also take to cover all the bases but make sure you’re taking the right one for your body. Most companies offer a senior version of their multi-vitamin that is designed with your body in mind.
4) Embrace Technology
There are many different user-friendly devices that can help you track your health. Smartwatches are designed to keep track of things like your pulse, the steps you take and many are even equipped with fall detection. These are great tech options to help you stay safe and healthy as you age.
Another way to incorporate technology into your wellness routine is by playing a video game. Many games are great for keeping your brain active and healthy and they’re fun too. Ask a game store employee to help you figure out which game system will work best for you and your needs. There are even systems that require you to be physically active for specific games so you can work out while also having fun!
Related: 9 Essential Smartphone Apps for Seniors
5) Get Some Rest
When you feel like your body is telling you to rest, you should listen. Never try to over-exert yourself when it comes to movement and make sure you get a good amount of sleep every night. Sleeping is a great way to let your body recharge for the next day and getting a good rest will help your concentration along with your memory.
Aim to get around 7.5 to 9 hours of sleep every night and take a short nap during the day if you feel tired. If you are having difficulty getting enough sleep, try talking to your doctor. They should be able to work with you to help you get a good night’s sleep.
6) Stay Germ-Free
The pandemic has shown us that keeping our hands clean and avoiding germs from those who are sick is a good way to help keep our bodies healthy. Keep your hands washed or sanitized as much as you can and avoid friends and family members who are ill. As we age our immune systems can weaken, so minimizing your exposure to germs is important.
Keeping the things around you clean is another good way to keep germs away. Clean high-touch zones like doorknobs as often as you can to make sure that the germs aren’t lingering around. If you have pets, make sure you keep them well-groomed and clean.
7) Avoid The Vices
Staying away from smoking, drinking and bad eating habits can help you so much in your senior years. All of these things will affect you much more the older you become and now is as good of a time as ever to change your bad habits around. Ask a doctor if you want some help letting go of unhealthy choices and building healthy habits.
If you still want to consume them then at least try to stay within moderation. Cutting back is better than nothing at all!
8) Nurture Your Social Life
A big part of staying healthy is ensuring your social calendar includes a few things each week that allow you to connect with family and friends. Whether it’s a coffee date with a friend, a walk with your son or daughter, or a program at your local senior’s center – having these regular social interactions can have immense impact to support your overall wellbeing.
There are so many simple ways you can keep your body and mind healthy if you are a senior. Changing a few small things about your lifestyle can help you enjoy your later years to the fullest! You can always talk to a doctor about adjustments you can make to your day-to-day life that will help you be in the best shape you can be.
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