Aging is something beyond your control, but how well you age is actually something you have power over. Taking care of yourself as early as possible ensures that you’ll have a much easier time in the latter stages of your life. Whether you’ll be living on your own, with a partner, or in any of the numerous assisted living facilities available to you, these are some essential lifestyle habits that guarantee a healthy life as a senior citizen.
Engage in regular physical activity
Regular exercise allows you to maintain a healthy weight and ease stiff joints and muscles. Even something as simple as a 30-minute walk around your block every day can do wonders for your mental health by alleviating stress and depression. The best way to get this habit to stick is to do something you actually enjoy, whether that be dancing or swimming.
Keep up a healthy diet
Good nutrition is crucial to living a healthy lifestyle at every age. You can start by filling your diet with tons of health-giving fruits, whole grains, fiber, and vegetables. Supplement this by cutting down your consumption of processed foods, saturated fats, and refined sugar. Don’t forget to keep yourself hydrated by drinking plenty of water, as well.
Prioritize social interaction
Social interaction is a crucial component to aging gracefully. If you don’t work on your relationships with friends and family, you’re prone to feel loneliness and isolation later in life. These feelings have been linked to high blood pressure and compromised cognitive abilities. It might be difficult to find connections with people as you get older, but it helps to put a little effort into finding people with similar interests as you. Animal companions are also good for your health since they’re known to remedy loneliness, reduce stress and anxiety, and lower blood pressure.
Schedule regular check-ups
Have frequent vision, dental, and hearing check-ups to make sure all your senses are in tip-top shape. This ensures that you can catch and address any issues as early as possible. You’ll also be able to keep yourself safe since accidents tend to happen because of poor eyesight and hearing loss.
Prevent slips and falls
You won’t be able to completely steer clear of accidents, but you can still take precautions to reduce the possibility of them happening as well as minimize potential damage. You can do this by investing in plenty of storage solutions to make sure that your walkways are clear of clutter. Do away with any potential trip hazards such as throw rugs and electrical cords, as well.
Get a good night’s sleep
Older adults aged 65 and older should get at least 7 to 8 hours of good quality sleep every night. If you have trouble getting a good night’s rest due to insomnia, sleep apnea, or difficulty staying asleep throughout the night, try sticking to a bedtime routine before you go to sleep. Avoid taking naps throughout the day or drinking caffeine and alcohol at least 8 hours before bedtime. Staying active in the daytime also ensures that you get tired by night.
As an older adult, you need to take care of their body just as much, if not more, than when you were younger. These easy and practical tips will help you on your journey to a healthier lifestyle.
