Healthy Aging for Seniors: Tips on Staying Fit and Feeling Good
Healthy aging can mean different things for everyone; for some, it’s having a range of mobility. For others, it’s about making sure certain diseases are prevented and taking measures to make sure lifestyle choices aren’t going to be a problem down the road. There are many aspects to staying healthy at any age, from daily exercise to eating right, but it’s important to make sure you have a good balance between your physical and mental health. Seniors need to maintain good brain function to help prevent diseases like Alzheimer’s and to stay sharp.
Fortunately, there are many things you can do to ensure that you’re on track to age in a healthy way, from making changes to your diet and lifestyle, to taking steps to ensure that your memory and brain functions stay sharp. It doesn’t have to be difficult or stressful to make sure you’re safe, healthy, and comfortable in your senior years.
Keep reading for some great tips on how to get started.
Earn Some Mental Stimulation
Mental stimulation is necessary at all ages, but after retirement, keeping your brain active is essential for good brain health and to keep the blood flowing. You might play word games, download memory apps on your phone, or put together puzzles in order to keep the neurons firing, or you can simply stay social. Engaging in active social relationships has been shown in studies to significantly help seniors when it comes to reducing the risk of dementia, and it can boost your self-esteem and possibly even lengthen your life at the same time.
Use Technology to Your Advantage
Technology has come a long way; it can help us get pretty much anything we want or need within a matter of minutes or hours, and that includes healthy food. This means that seniors who have mobility issues or are unable to leave their homes can have healthy meals delivered to them or just make and keep track of shopping lists via apps. With a meal delivery service, you can get fresh ingredients or even pre-made meals sent right to your door; go here for more info.
Get Daily Exercise
Daily exercise is imperative for everyone, but for seniors, it can vastly improve circulation, balance, and mobility. Fitting in a daily workout can also fight off the symptoms of depression, a serious issue in seniors who are suffering from loneliness or battling a disease. You might start slowly -- especially if you don’t already have an exercise regimen -- by walking in the morning or doing light yoga. Look online for yoga classes near you that are specifically for seniors; these often use water or a chair for balance to make this workout safe for any age.
Get Better Sleep
Good sleep is the key to feeling better in many cases, but often, you don’t even realize how much you need it until you finally get it. If you wake up feeling tired or irritable, or if you have aches and pain, it might be time to replace your mattress or bedding. You can also start a good sleep routine, which will allow you to relax before bed and wind down after a long day. Exercise will help, as well, as it will leave you feeling tired in a good way.
Healthy aging is a very personal thing, so find the activities that work best for you and keep your needs and safety in mind when embarking on something new. Also, remember to talk to your doctor about the best ways to get started.
