Getting older comes with a lot of different health challenges. Some seniors experience arthritis and other degenerative illnesses. Others experience heart disease or diabetes. And yet others seem to have found the secrets for maintaining health and moving about in their older bodies with apparent ease. There are important lessons to learn from healthy, active adults. Much of them come down to lifelong habits they’ve created. Here are some of the most critical health habits for seniors.
Stay Positive
A good attitude and positive outlook in life wins every time. Learning to let go of negativity and embrace the good in life impacts mental and physical health. People with a positive attitude have more friends around them because people enjoy being with them. This makes them less prone to depression and other mental illnesses. When you stay positive it also impacts your physical health, as well.
Maintain a Healthy Weight
If you’re not already in a healthy weight range, you’re more prone to long-term health issues. Being overweight puts more pressure on joints, leading to arthritis, bursitis, and other joint problems. Additionally, obesity is connected to health problems including heart disease, lung disease, certain cancers, and diabetes. It’s important to take steps to get into a healthy weight range. If you feel like your weight loss efforts are hindered and you want to know how to restart your metabolism, there are some simple things you can do to get started. One of the easiest is to get moving. An active body makes for a more active metabolism.
Stay Active
Staying active not only impacts how quickly your body can lose weight, but it also affects energy levels. People who are inactive too long experience more sleepiness and lethargy than those who are more active. The nice thing is that there are simple, senior-friendly workouts for individuals of all fitness levels. Whether you go for gentle walks, swim in a warm pool, or go on active adventures, you’ll want to combine some strength training with cardio. Strength training helps build and maintain muscle mass.
Focus on Good Sleep Habits
As you age, your sleep needs change as well. You’re no longer growing, but proper rest is essential to rejuvenate your body. It helps you feel better throughout the day and has immune benefits as well. Focus on keeping your caffeine intake low, on creating a good bedtime routine, and on turning off the TV and other technology about an hour before bed. You’ll also want to sleep in the dark. Although it’s important to remove any hazards to decrease fall risk if you need to get up in the middle of the night.
Eat Your Veggies
Eating veggies gets harder as you age. For some, it upsets their stomach. Others have trouble chewing and swallowing crunchy things. You’ll get a ton of nutrition even if your vegetables are cooked or roasted. The best thing you can do is to find your favorite vegetables and eat them throughout the day or with every meal. Eating vegetables gives your body adequate amounts of vitamins and minerals when you enjoy a wide variety of them daily.
Enjoy Protein-Rich Foods
Protein is good for your muscles, brain, and cells. They are the building blocks of everything in your body. When you eat enough protein, you get vital nutrients, decrease the breakdown of muscles, and even feel full longer. For those who need to lose weight as part of their health needs, protein is an important factor. You can get protein from farm-fresh eggs, lean meat, ground beef, some cheese, and pork. Eat it alongside fresh fruits and veggies and limit processed foods.
Start a Hobby
Whether you start a book club, go walking with friends, play golf, or paint and create pretty things, a hobby is important. It gives your mind something to do so that it doesn’t deteriorate as quickly. It also provides social opportunities. Plus, doing something you enjoy just makes you feel better. There is a sense of pride when you create something new or reach a big goal. Just because you’re older doesn’t mean you can’t have goals in life. Starting a hobby gives you something to work toward each and every day.