Aging will always be part of life that can negatively impact your mental as well as physical health. However, as you age, ensure you adopt healthy habits so you can minimize stress or maintain a healthy body. But the question is – how? To help you be healthy as a senior, here are tips to look at:
1. Choose the Best Caregiver
Caregiving supports seniors by promoting their independence and health. Through caregiving services, like companionship care in Bethesda, MD, you will get support with everyday tasks, assurance to be safe, and assistance to monitor your chronic conditions. And unlike home health that offers skilled healthcare, companion care concentrates on other non-medical care requirements, like leisure pursuits or social support.
2. Avoid Loneliness and Social Isolation
Unfortunately, the more you age, the more you spend too much time alone. Staying this way for a long time can result in loneliness as well as social isolation, which in turn can negatively affect your health. Examples of illnesses that social isolation or loneliness can cause are cognitive decline, depression, and heart disease. However, you can prevent these health issues by adopting a pet, using adaptive technology, considering counseling, and joining helpful social clubs.
3. Exercise
As you age, you can look for excuses not to exercise. But as a senior, know that exercising is good for your health. It can improve quality of life and make you strong. Here are examples of exercises you can try out:
- Swimming
- Walking
- Tai-chi
4. Hydrate Adequately
The more you grow older, the more you get thirstier. So, ensure you drink lots of water to avoid urinary tract infections/constipation and stay energized. Hydrating properly isn’t all about quenching your thirst. By hydrating properly, you will positively impact your brain function, physical well-being, and even support vital organs. Apart from that, you can improve your digestive system. During digestion, your body requires water to properly digest food. Without enough water, you can start experiencing gas, heartburn, bloating, and hard bowel movements. In addition, water can help break down soluble fiber in your diet so as to keep the process on track.
5. Stay Updated with Immunizations and Health Screenings
If you are a 50-year old woman, start mammography screening, which is important for detecting breast cancer. And if you are a man, get examined for prostate cancer. You can also consider other preventive screenings and stay updated with immunizations.
6. Have Enough Sleep
Ever heard of this cliché? Older people require less sleep. This is a lie. Seniors require enough sleep just as much as young adults. However, you will find it more difficult to get a good sleep because of snoring, physical inactivity, or illness. To improve quality of sleep, keep your bedroom quiet, comfortable, and cool. Remember to also switch off electronics early, including your TV.
7. Take Good Care of Your Teeth
Dentists recommend that you floss once or twice daily. Flossing will help you avoid gum illnesses by getting rid of plaque and food pieces that are in between your teeth. If you don’t floss daily, you will start noticing bleeding gums or soreness after some time.
In conclusion, aging is something that you can’t avoid. But regardless of your age, experts at Capital City Nurses say that it’s not too late to start the journey of being healthy. Whether it is by taking care of your teeth or choosing a good caregiver, maintaining good health may prolong your lifespan.