It’s never too late to start improving your physical, mental, or social well-being. Healthy aging is all about improving yourself at your current stage of life. It’s often easy to get bogged down by thinking about the negative aspects of aging, but what if we changed that thinking and celebrated aging by encouraging each other to try something new, follow our passions, and truly focus on our health and what makes us happiest?
No longer does aging have to be about retirement, slowing down or a decreased quality of life. Instead, aging is a mindset. They are the called the golden years for a reason, and by developing healthy habits they just may be the best years of your life! Here are some tips for healthy aging.
Be Active
Staying active as you age is crucial to your healthy and well-being. While you may not be able to play intense sports or run a marathon, physical activity is important! Joining a fitness club where you can swim, play racquetball or tennis, use exercise equipment like the stationary bike or treadmill, or participate in age-specific group exercise classes are all great ways to stay active. Even just taking a 20-minute walk each day can make a big difference for your body and health.
Keeping your mind active and engaged is important too because it may help prevent brain chemistry changes that could lead to Alzheimer’s disease. Activities such as working on puzzles, reading books, or yoga can all help reduce stress, and support your mental health.
Eat Healthy Foods
As we age, our metabolism slows down, so we need fewer calories, but it’s important to pay attention to what we’re putting in our bodies. Eating a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, avoiding processed foods and paying attention to portion sizes is key. The USDA recommends a balanced plate of slightly less than one quarter proteins (lean meat, fish, poultry, or legumes) and fruits, and slightly more than one quarter grains and vegetables. It’s also important to stay hydrated by drinking at least 6 to 8 glasses of water each day.
Stay Social
It’s important to stay social with family and friends! A sedentary lifestyle can lead to health issues, isolation, depression, and boredom. Get social by volunteering, joining a gym, finding a club to join, taking up a new creative hobby, inviting friends and family over, anything that can get you to talk to someone daily.
While there are many things you can do to achieve healthy aging, it’s also important to mention not to ignore symptoms if you’re not feeling well. Know your healthy history and make sure you continue to have regular medical checkups, an annual physical exam, and stay on schedule for routine tests.
You can continue to maintain your quality of life by being proactive and keeping a positive attitude. Remaining physically and mentally active, engaged with others, and having the right mindset is the best gift you can give yourself to achieve healthy aging.
Our mission at Orchard Hospital is to provide our community with superior health care. We strive to ensure that your experience at Orchard Hospital is as pleasant and comfortable as possible. Our priority is to provide you with the care you need when you need it, with skill, compassion, and respect.
