Protecting Your Health and Well-Being as a Senior
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In these days of modern medicine and other health-related advances, the U.S. population is living longer than before. With the longer lifespan come some challenges, too. As elder adults, humans now face issues our ancestors never had to think about. There are things you can do to maintain your health and experience less stress during the last quarter of your life. Here are some helpful tips from VALÉRIA.
Challenges
Living longer means that you need more savings to live on during your retirement. None of us can control what the stock market and other financial barometers will do, but we can plan ahead while saving. While a more aggressive investment strategy may be suitable when you’re younger, as you age, the trend should be to gradually shift to less risky investments. Since you’ll need to have the money available sooner, and might not be in a position to wait out the recovery from a stock market downturn, more conservative placement of your money is appropriate.
Your choice of where to live will quite likely change over the years. You may not want to deal with the upkeep of a large home and the land around it. A retirement community where some meals are provided might be a choice.
If you have health challenges, you may opt for some type of assisted living arrangement, and if memory issues have become a concern, then a place with memory care options will be in order. It’s wise to investigate what options are available before you have need of them.
Staying Socially Engaged
Social isolation can sometimes become a problem for seniors. Friends and family may not live nearby, we lose touch with some, and others may not have lives as long as our own. Loneliness in older adults is associated with increased occurrence of both mental and physical health problems.
Staying connected with others may take more effort, but you’ll be glad you reached out. Consider volunteering with a group, offer to help a neighbor, join a class or hobby-oriented group, and use technology to text, call, and have virtual online meetings with loved ones. Observing healthy habits will help you feel more like socializing, too.
Do What You Can to Maintain Good Health
Getting adequate sleep, staying hydrated, and eating nutritious foods become more important with every passing year. Exercise is important for seniors, too. Wearing some type of fitness tracker to monitor how much walking you do each day can be helpful. Some suggest 10,000 steps per day, and those steps don’t have to be taken in one session, you can work them into your routines.
For example, you might take a walk after breakfast each morning. At mid-day, you may go to check the mail, and in the afternoon you might walk to visit with a neighbor. Even if the weather is bad, you can climb stairs indoors, walk in a public mall, or plan to build in more steps another way. Many local and state organizations offer support for seniors trying to lead healthy lives. Such groups may offer support, education, and opportunities to enhance the quality of senior health and life.
It’s also vital to maintain a clean and healthy living environment at home. If you are prone to sensitivity to harsh cleaners, try DIY natural cleaning alternatives instead. These alternatives will clean just as well as store-bought cleaners, but are less likely to trigger any sensitivities you may have.
Other Ideas
You might want to create a morning routine that supports good health. Beginning each day with a healthy breakfast is a great idea. If you find meditation helpful, this is also a good way to begin the day. Mind-body exercises such as yoga, qi going, and tai chi can set the tone for a peaceful and energized day.
If you enjoy reading inspirational literature, even five minutes devoted to this activity in the morning can get your day off to a good start. While all these activities may seem like things that are pleasant in the moment, they are also things that promote good health when done regularly over time.
While certain stressors are associated with living a long life, there are also benefits. With planning, good habits, and persistence in self care, senior years can be enjoyed more fully. We all need to eat nutritious food and exercise, and these things are true for seniors, too. Staying connected with friends, family, and acquaintances not only enhances quality of life, but also health. So take the time to establish good habits, and stick with them.