With age comes wisdom. And often wrinkles and sometimes declining health, as well. But there are plenty of ways for seniors to stay young at heart and forever comfortable in their bodies.
1. Lose the bad habits.
As we get older, we tend to fall into repetitive behavior patterns. Some of them might be good, such as brushing our teeth twice a day and taking vitamins. Others, like smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and junk food, are not-so-good and can negatively impact health. Recognizing bad habits is the first step towards overcoming them. Remember, healthier is younger!
2. Laugh it up.
Laughter is - as they say - the best medicine. It makes us happier, which makes us healthier. It's an especially important key to healthy living for seniors, since it's been shown to lower stress, improve memory, prevent heart disease, lower blood pressure and protect against infection.
3. Keep learning.
Activities which challenge and exercise the mind aren't just for kids! Studying and learning about new things stimulates the mind, improves memory and boosts self-confidence. It's also engaging and interesting. Seniors should embrace the opportunity to learn about all of those things they were always interested in but never had the time to focus on.
4. Friends mean happiness.
Studies have shown that we need as much as six hours a day of social stimulation to remain mentally sharp. One of the best ways is to surround oneself with family and friends. To stay sharp and active, lose the negative friends and surround seniors with people who increase their happiness.
5. Sleep it off.
Sleep is critical to good health. Studies have shown that men who get 7-8 hours of sleep nightly live longer than those who sleep both less and more. Women should get seven hours each night to lower their mortality rate.
6. Get some exercise.
Exercising regularly is among the best things a senior can do to look and feel younger. It also helps them maintain their independence, lowers their risk of diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, depression and stress. Whether it is cardiovascular activities, ligament- and tendon-stretching exercises, or muscle-strengthening exercises, seniors should stay active to stay healthy.
7. Eat right.
One of the fastest routes to feeling old and unhealthy is eating the wrong foods. Seniors should get three square meals per day. Breakfast should focus on getting energy levels up, and snacks should emphasize things seniors may not be getting in their regular diet. Keep meals healthy -lots of different colored vegetables, proteins such as fish, whole grains - with a focus on healthier (and fresher) foods.
No comments:
Post a Comment