Aging is an evitable process. As you get older, the risk of developing certain conditions, illnesses and injuries increases, but there are steps you can take to try and maintain optimum health for as long as possible. If you’re looking to boost your health as you reach your senior years, here are some simple strategies to employ today.
Physical activity
Living an active lifestyle is one of the most effective ways to keep your body and mind in good working order. Inactivity is a risk factor for several conditions, including heart disease, some types of cancer and type 2 diabetes. A sedentary lifestyle can also impact flexibility, mobility and joint, muscle and bone strength. Experts recommend 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week. This can include anything from walking the dog and going for a bike ride to doing a dance class or playing frisbee in the park with your children or grandchildren. If you don’t hit this target, it’s an excellent idea to try and increase your activity levels. Seek advice if you have existing injuries or health problems that impact your ability to get around. If you’re recovering after a surgical procedure or an accident, or you have arthritis, for example, it’s beneficial to look into physical therapy services provided by agencies like Serenity Home Health. Physical therapy is designed to restore and enhance movement and build strength and mobility using targeted exercises. As you get older, you may find that some activities or sports suit you better than others. If you’re prone to aches and pains, for example, low-intensity exercises like swimming are ideal.
Diet
Your body relies on the foods you eat for essential nutrients. Eating well is beneficial at every age and adopting a healthy, balanced diet in your 20s and 30s will stand you in good stead when you reach your 50s, 60s and 70s. Aim to ensure your diet provides vitamins and minerals, and focus on nutrition. Many people get carried away with designing menus and planning meals based on losing or maintaining weight. The primary objective should always be to nourish your body. Include a diverse range of foods, keep an eye on your intake of sugar, salt and saturated fats, and try to have fun with cooking and preparing meals. Experiment, try new dishes and don’t deprive yourself. There’s nothing wrong with having a slice of pizza at the end of a week of healthy, nutritious meals as a treat.
Routine health tests and checks
It’s not possible to avoid every illness or prevent every age-related health issue, but keeping up to date with routine tests and checks and seeking advice if you notice changes in your health can be hugely beneficial. Basic checks like BMI and blood pressure, dental check-ups and eye tests and hearing examinations can flag up early warning signs and prevent conditions or symptoms of deterioration from getting worse. If you haven’t been to the dentist for as long as you can remember, or you have no idea what your BMI is, don’t be afraid to make some calls and book appointments.
Aging can make us more susceptible to poor health, but there are ways to reduce risks and optimize health and wellbeing. Looking after yourself now will pay off in the future.
