Individuals with good healthy habits as young adults, tend to keep and expand those healthy habits as they age. However, if you have yet to adopt the healthy lifestyle you should, it’s never too late. In fact, by following the tips listed below, you will start enjoying the benefits of being a healthier older person, no matter what your early years were like. If you already are practicing a healthy lifestyle, keep up the good work and consider adding some of the following to your already impressive routine:
Eat Healthy
Unfortunately, as we age, the digestive system tends to slow down. This means you need to make sure you enjoy a diet rich in whole grains, vegetables and high-fiber fruits. Also, you are more prone to dehydration as you age, so make sure you drink plenty of water in order to keep yourself properly hydrated.
Sleep Well
Another byproduct of getting older is having difficulty sleeping. If this is familiar to you, make sure your bedroom is quiet, cool and comfortable. Begin turning down the lights as the evening approaches, which will hopefully encourage drowsiness. Your body needs adequate sleep, not too much and not too little, in order to function properly, so a sleep issue isn’t something to minimize.
Make Sure Your Medications Don’t Interact
With the many medical conditions that come on as we age, it’s no wonder that medication interaction can become problematic. Make sure your medications aren’t causing any problems by interacting with other medications. If you notice symptoms like a loss of appetite, drowsiness or allergic reactions, especially after starting a new medication, speak to our doctor as soon as possible.
Prevention is Key
Another way to keep yourself healthy and active in your twilight years is to be preventative. Go to your preventative medical visits. For example, health screens that look for heart problems, colon cancer and measure cholesterol levels are very important for your ongoing health.
Be Social
When you were younger, you were likely around people all the time. However, as we age, everyone tends to naturally isolate themselves. This isn’t good health wise, though. Spend time with your family or friends, take a class, try something new, get out there, even if you don’t feel like it at first. This will go a long way in keeping your spirits lifted and helping you enjoy your twilight years to the fullest.
Get Active
The aches and pains that come along with aging make it easy to want to stay immobile. However, you should fight your natural inclination towards idleness and get active. It doesn’t have to be anything extreme. Take a short stroll down the road. If you are up for it, join an aquatic aerobics class or take another class offered at your local gym. Exercise has been proven not only to alleviate depression, but also to benefit your memory and energy. Therefore, it’s a vital part of a healthy, active lifestyle as you age. (Be sure to ask your doctor before beginning any new exercise regimen.)
The above tips will get you headed in the right direction towards creating a healthy active lifestyle throughout your twilight years.
Sources:
https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/features/digestive-health-aging#1
https://www.aplaceformom.com/blog/11-5-14-healthy-habits-for-seniors/
https://gerontology.usc.edu/resources/infographics/necessity-exercise-physical-activity-and-aging/:
