Transition – a term no one can understand better than older adults.
From losing the company of their children to the loss of some adequate body functioning, this term starts making real sense in old age. The onset of each change varies. Some take you by surprise, like the deaths of your loved ones. And others are steady, you realize them upon inspection.
While we cannot help fix the core realities of life, we can definitely work to minimize their impact. The second half of your life doesn’t have to be the one where you start depending on people. Adopting a healthy lifestyle enables you to maintain a sound mind, body, and heart. You can find the power in you and beat all the anxiety without relying on others.
So as your hair sprouts grayer and face sports more lines, start making suitable health choices. According to Dr. Margaret Moore, who is an advisor for the Healthy Aging Program for the Center for Disease Surveillance and Prevention (CDC), there are multiple ways to improve your health through a healthy diet, exercise, and more, even into old age.
Do not wait for an event or a disease to provoke the adoption of a healthy lifestyle. Here are five tips for healthy aging and an active lifestyle you must start right away:
- Eat Whole Foods
As you age, you are no longer a food-lover like you used to be some years ago. Your taste buds have changed suddenly, and it creates an impact on your appetite. Plus, your metabolism is slower than before, so your body doesn’t accept junk.
Instead of fighting your body and following the old eating patterns, tweak it up with healthy choices. Avoid fried foods. Instead, choose high-fiber foods like whole-grain cereals, bread, seeds, nuts, vegetables, and fruits.
Lucia L. Kaiser, Ph.D., the community nutrition specialist at the University of California, recommends that whole foods are a great place to start if you are trying to eat healthily. Many studies have proven how diets rich in fruits, whole grains, and vegetables can reduce the risk of diseases like cancer, heart conditions, and type 2 diabetes.
- Walk or Jog
A recent study in Sweden found that exercise is the most significant contributor to a longer life. It adds extra years to one’s life. Even if you have been in the old phase for long, it is never too late to start taking brisk walks down the park.
Dr. Camel Dyer, a geriatrician in Houston, states that she has come across patients who started workouts in their 70s and acquire great benefits from it. Of all the exercises, walking is the easiest one. You can take a stroll at any lane or a park near you. Just aim for 30 minutes every day.
If it is too much for you, cut it down to shorter strolls. It pumps more blood to your brain cells, keeping it healthy and in shape. If you feel walk or jog is not your thing, you may also enroll in an exercise program. Make sure there is an expert there who helps you achieve your milestones gradually. Put on a comfortable boxer brief or a well-branded tracksuit to maintain a better posture through the exercise routine.
- Sleep Well
Insomnia is the most reported issue by older adults. It occurs when you cannot sleep through a regular schedule. Even during sleep, you get easily disturbed. Then, there is the problem of the sleepy daytime feeling which overcomes your mood and keeps you grumpy throughout the day.
The National Sleep Foundation recommends 7-8 hours of sleep for adults aged 65 and older. It believes that older adults who sleep between 6-9 hours every day can have better cognition, physical, and mental health.
If you are having trouble falling asleep or maintaining a sound sleeping pattern through the night, seek professional assistance. They will help you learn how to sleep well. Also, practice certain things like reducing caffeine intake, keep your bedroom dark, stay away from all screens, and don’t nap longer than 20 minutes during the day.
- Your Brain
Now that you have retired and the burden of responsibilities has lifted off from your shoulders, it certainly doesn’t mean you cannot jog up your brain cells anymore. In fact, this is the high time you start taking care of your brain cells.
Studies have shown that a lifestyle of cognitive stimulation through active learning causes a slower cognitive decline. Also, 1 in every eight older adults (65+) in the US have Alzheimer’s disease. Read about the warning signs of this disease, here.
To reduce your chances of falling into the patients’ list, feed your creativity.
You can do that by learning a new language, a new skill, playing word games, and crossword puzzles with your buddies in the park. Read all the books you always wanted to, now that you have enough time. Write a journal about the remarkable experiences of your life!
The bottom line is, never stop mind-boosting activities. Have a meaningful life. And as you move ahead with focus, you will witness incredible benefits on your overall take on life.
- Practice Prevention
Many diseases, depression, chronic conditions like diabetes, and accidents are preventable. There are several preventive measures you can take. For instance, get regular checkups with a health professional. They will provide you a diet chart and habits to integrate into your life. Pay close attention to your body, and if you suspect something fishy, get an instant examination at the local health center.
Being alert of your food intake and staying hydrated are also the keys to adequate prevention.
Final Words
Remember, physical fitness is not the only goal you should try to achieve in your old age. Being healthy also means staying mentally and emotionally stable. Figure out what makes you happy and stick by that. Always work on upgrading your self-esteem, so you emanate an aura of confidence. Managing stress and an optimistic outlook are the key ingredients of healthy aging.
Do you agree with us? Let us know in the comments.
Author:
Alycia Gordan is a freelance writer. She loves to read and write articles related to health and lifestyle, sometime on health-tech as well. She is crazy about chocolates and you can find her on Twitter: @meetalycia
I tweeted this helpful post. This virus is certainly a wakeup call for many of us older Americans.
Simple, sound advice. My score is mostly good, but I need to improve how much I move. Thanks for the reminder. w
I never thought I would be grateful for Celiac Disease but after finally taking it serious a few years ago, I made a lot of these changes.
Hopefully it strengthened my immune system and I can stay healthy.
fabulous advice!
Great advice also for hose whose nest isn’t empty yet. I am curious about what happens to your taste buds? Are there things you suddenly don’t like anymore?
Alycia nailed it. These are all great tips especially now. Managing stress is so very important right now.
These are all great tips and right now I feel I can check all of them off, so that makes me feel good. Right now our lemon and grapefruit trees are ready to pick so making juices like crazy, and walking every day.
These are great healthy tips. Motivation and sleep are so important.
All great tips! Good diet, exercise, proper sleep indeed the best antidote to diseases and help people life a healthy life well into their old age. I would like to add being happy and manage your stress to this as this enhances immunity.
Self-care should be the priority of everyone, especially mental health. Good tips.
Look at you! Way to be girl! Getting out there! I always want to go out and walk… but I don’t like the cold! Haha, can’t wait for next month!
Good tips. Now a days everyone have healthcare mobile app in their mobile. 🙂
Hi Alycia. Thanks for such a descriptive and informative topic. Maintaining healthiness and staying fit are really essential for a happy life.
These are all great tips and right now I feel I can check all of them off, so that makes me feel good. Right now our lemon and grapefruit trees are ready to pick so making juices like crazy, and walking every day.
Love these great tips of healthy aging. A very informaitve and detailed article you shared. Thank you for this long post.
Hey, It is very nice to read this blog, I like this blog because it is about the health. As mentioned in the article I also following the routine to doing workout, having a vitamines meal, etc. Thanks for sharing!
Exercising, drinking water and cutting out sugar really helps a lot. I will try the other tips described in the article as well, even though sounds, like to eat less processed food, will be a challenge. Worth a try, if I want to live a healthy long life!
Amazing Post Rena! Daily workout along with good eating habits makes us healthy Inside and outside.
Thanks for sharing a great tips.
This is a nice blog on active lifestyle. Thank you for sharing this topic and I’ll be thankful to you for give me this opportunity to give my views on this .
These are really amazing tips for healthy lifestyle. I really love this great reading. I mostly join the skating skill to active my body. Thank you for sharing this amazing article.
Love these great tips of healthy life style. I mostly do swimming exercise to keep my body healthy and fit. Also, Swimming makes me happy. Thank you for sharing this great article.
Very well informed information. You have some great tips which is easy to follow. Thank you so much for sharing. Please continue to educate us.
That’s so true these tips enhance the immunity system functionality of aged people. thanks for sharing workable info and keep on sharing.
All great points! The best you kept reserved for the end i.e upgrading self-esteem, be happy and confident. Its always mind over matter.
I think sleeping is the best important in our life. If you take 7 to 8 hours sleep. then it will make your day.
Thanks for share this you have really shared many nice activity.
Anything perfect! The best thing you’ve gotten to do is to boost your self-confidence, be comfortable and sure. His mind is still on top of the problem.
This is great idea about the heath tips good heath good life thanks share this article about the healthy aging and an active lifestyle and help us information
Very good article about health tips. Thanks for sharing it with us all.
To the point information thanks for these healthy tips.