According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 40.4 million Americans were 65 years of age or older in 2010, and by the year 2030 almost 20 percent of the total U.S. population will be 65+ years of age.
The process of aging can be difficult and leave you searching for quick fixes to cope. News Flash: You can’t control every factor affecting your health as you grow old. However, you can give yourself the best possible chance for a long and healthy life.
That being said, we’d like to share four prominent tips to help maintain your health and wellness.
1. Staying Active
First and foremost, physical activity plays a tremendous role in maintaining your health. Whether it’s walking, cycling, or yoga, staying active through physical exercise can work wonders on your body. Here are a few major benefits:
• Boosted vitality
• Increased strength and flexibility
• Improved cognitive function
• Reduce the severity of health related problems
• Relieve muscle tension and chronic pain
However, it is best to consult your doctor or physician before you implement a new exercise regimen. They can recommend a suitable exercise program based on your overall health needs.
*More importantly, keeping your brain active is just as, if not more, important than maintaining your physical well-being.* — Word games and recall exercises are excellent options. Regular mental exercise can stave off memory-loss diseases such as Alzheimer’s and forms of dementia by fostering executive function.
2. Healthy, Balanced Diet
A well balanced diet can provide your body with the essential nutrients needed to achieve and maintain excellent health.
Make sure to include plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in your diet while avoiding sweet, salty, and highly processed foods. Speak with your primary care physician for suggestions regarding dietary restrictions and to gain a better understanding of dieting and healthier food choices.
3. Regular Health Check-Up
Seeing your doctor with regularity forms the crux of preventative healthcare. Failure to do so can result in losing precious time and push you further from your goal of achieving optimum health.
Opting for regular check-ups will ensure the identification of serious health problems in their initial stage — professional help can key you into your normal physical state and allow you to nip the problem in the bud.
4. Stay Connected
Remember that human beings are social creatures and isolation will act as your enemy. Don’t be overcome by depression or low self-esteem and allows these disorders to interfere in maintaining your mental (and physical) health.
Therefore, it is best to build a support network outside of your doctor. Family is always a great choice, but in the absence of loved ones a local community center offers the same benefit. Schedule regular meetings with family and/or friends over coffee, a shared meal, or around a common interest. Adopting new telecommunication services/devices will help close the gap in maintaining relationships with loved ones.
Moreover, you can also consider engaging in meaningful community activities such as volunteering, joining a local committee, community gardening, joining a local gaming league at your senior center, or becoming a member of a book club. All of these can act as great stress busters.
Aging healthfully is no walk in the park. However, the aforementioned tips can help you live a healthier, happier, and longer life. Apart from following these tips, try to adopt a positive approach to life in order to deal with the arduous changes. Being optimistic and grateful will go a long way in maintaining your overall wellness for life.
