5 Tips for Healthy Aging

Every day it feels like there’s some new health influencer peddling the latest and greatest in vitamin advancements to us. The rise of social media has brought along with it a wave of people who are willing to speak on subjects they have little to no knowledge of. Luckily there are credible sources out there with good advice on the ways that we can keep ourselves healthy as we age!

1.       Eat and Drink Well

It’s important to keep our bodies nourished as we age. By eating balanced meals and making sure that we’re staying hydrated we’re giving our bodies what they need to keep running correctly. An ideally balanced meal will include some sort of protein, fruits or vegetables that are high in fiber, healthy fats, and other nutrients, and some sort of whole grain to round it out. Of course, there’s no problem with indulging every so often, we’re human and deserve the chance to try all the delicious things life has to offer but making sure our nutrition is taken care of goes a long way to ensure healthy aging.

2.       Get active!

Being active can help you prevent, slow, and manage chronic illnesses like diabetes and osteoporosis. It’s recommended that you get two muscle strengthening workouts in per week along with 2.5 to 5 hours weekly of moderate to vigorous cardio sessions in. After all, your heart is a muscle and needs to be strengthened along with all your other muscles! As you age don’t forget to add in exercises that focus on balance to reduce your risk of falls.

3.       Get some sleep!

Sleep is an important part of both physical and mental health but our needs change as we age. The Sleep Foundation recommends that anyone over the age of 18 gets between 7-9 hours of sleep a night and people over 65 get between 7-8 hours per night. Getting proper amounts of sleep has been proven to reduce stress and depression, as well as lowering the risks of heart disease, stroke, and obesity.

4.       Take care of your mind!

Mental health matters, especially as we age. Many seniors report loneliness and symptoms of depression but it doesn’t have to be that way. Spending time with people you love or doing things you enjoy can go a long way toward keeping your mood lifted. There’s even evidence that shows people who engage in hobbies and leisure activities experience less depression and live longer so why not try something new? You might even meet new people while doing it!

5.       See your doctor regularly.

Going to the doctor can be a hassle at best and a major stressor at worst but they’re there to help. Most adults should visit their doctors at least once a year for a general medical checkup. This is going to be different for everyone, especially as we age or develop illnesses, but making sure we get in for our checkups could be the difference in catching something before it starts or finding it only after it’s started to make us sick.

This list could go on and on, there are a million different things we can do to keep ourselves healthy as we age after all, but we’re happy to help with some of the basics. Eating well, staying active, and sleeping regularly will go a long way to keeping your body going but don’t forget the mental aspect of it too. Reach out to loved ones, join a hobby group, or even take up something new just for yourself as long as you’re balancing your mental and physical health you’re doing everything you can to ensure your longevity.