As you age, your body changes and your health and strength may not be what they were ten years ago, but you can still be active and enjoy life.
Oftentimes, no matter your age, you can improve your health through lifestyle changes.
Maintain a Healthy Weight
Being obese or overweight – having a BMI above 25 – can create metabolic syndrome. A combination of high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and high cholesterol causes it. Together, they can lead to the development of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, stroke, and more serious health issues.
Aging increases your risk of developing these symptoms. They need to be controlled for better health and longevity. Losing excess weight reduces your risk of this condition and its associated health problems, and will improve heart health.
Get More Exercise
When people move more and exercise, they find that their health improves. It also helps lose weight and keep it under control and reduces the bad cholesterol (LDL), and increases the good kind (HDL). Exercise also improves insulin sensitivity.
Many types of exercise are available to get you moving. In addition to working out, you can take many kinds of exercise classes – online if you prefer, or go biking, swimming, hiking, walking, etc.
Eat Healthily
Another way to improve health as you age is to ensure you get the best nutrients in your diet. As you age, your needs change, and better health comes when you consume more whole grains, fruit, and vegetables.
You also want to reduce eating white breads, processed foods, and foods and drinks high in salt or sugar. When eating at a restaurant, take some home to reduce the portion size – which is often bigger than what is healthy.
Pay Attention to Your Hearing
Part of maintaining good health as you age requires being able to hear well. Hearing is necessary to keep you healthy because it enables you to maintain social contact, reduce anxiety, slow dementia, keep a good balance, and prevent low self-esteem.
It also helps keep you employed if you are still working. If you often have to ask people to repeat what they said and you think your hearing is getting worse, have it checked and take the necessary steps to improve it.
Stop Smoking
Smoking is probably one of the worst things you can do to your health. It can lead to several types of cancer and many health problems – including cardiovascular. Once you stop, your health begins improving – possibly within 24 hours. Exercising when you most likely want a cigarette reduces cravings and helps you stay healthy.
Stay in Touch with Your Doctor
Your doctor can help you live longer when you visit regularly and see them when health problems first develop. Getting medical attention when they first appear may help prevent them from becoming worse – which can set your health back.
Medications and supplements can enable you to overcome many health issues and may even prevent them from occurring. Preventive screenings can also help detect problems before you are even aware.
Stay Social
Retiring from regular work should not mean isolating yourself and staying home all the time. Staying in contact and meeting with friends is essential to staying healthy in your senior years.
Watch less TV and interact with others through volunteering, joining a club, or spending time with family – which will help you stay healthier and live longer.
