As you grow older, you will tend to have less energy. Although many people believe it to be natural, there are ways to combat it – enabling you to live a fuller and more active life well into your senior years. Many seniors are able to maintain higher energy levels and stay very active by following a few tips.
Stay Active
One reason that your energy levels become lower is because of less activity – slowing down in life. People often look at retirement as a time to relax and do very little. Inactivity in your senior years will cause you to have less energy if you stay inactive for some time. It will also decrease your immune levels and increase your risk of serious illnesses.
You can combat the loss of energy by staying active. When you feel your energy dip, do some type of exercise – it will recharge you for hours. Taking a walk or conducting some other form of exercise in the morning will help you to have more energy throughout the day. Be sure to do some type of exercise – or vary them – to strengthen all your muscles and help maintain flexibility and balance. It will enable you to maintain good function of your limbs.
Exercise will also increase your blood flow, making you feel better and providing more oxygen and nutrients to your body. Your mind will also be charged and more alert.
Focus on High-Protein Foods
Carbs certainly make for tasty treats, but they will also make you feel tired and not like doing much of anything. Too many carbs – such as those found in bread, cakes, and pasta – will also lead to weight gain, and so will most fast foods. Eat more protein instead, which can be found in lean meats, vegetables, fruit, and eggs.
Along with healthy food, you may also need to take some supplements. The bodies of seniors often utilize some vitamins less efficiently, possibly requiring that you supplement them regularly. Vitamin D and B12 may help with low-energy levels.
Get Sufficient Sleep
Poor sleep habits result in being tired often and feeling less like doing anything that requires much energy. As you grow older, it may be difficult to get a good night’s sleep, so take a nap when needed. You may also need to get a sleep test, which can determine whether or not you have sleep apnea – which will rob you of restful sleep.
Treat Stress
If you experience stress frequently, you will want to reduce and control it as much as possible. Stress will rob you of energy. You can learn to reduce it with exercise, by listening to music, meditating, praying, talking over the issues that are stressing you with others, etc.
Keep Your Mind Sharp
Your mind is like a muscle and it also needs to be exercised to stay sharp. Instead of watching TV or just reading, you need to do some mental activities that demand thinking. This can include crossword puzzles, playing games such as chess or Sudoku, or you can learn a new language or skill.
Engage in Activities of Value to Others
Just staying busy can become boring after a while. Performing some type of service that benefits other people can help you feel that your work has greater meaning because it will help others. You can perform some type of volunteer services for a church or charity that will help you feel valued and give you a greater reason to get out of bed in the morning.
