5 Healthy Habits for Seniors
Learn ways you can use to stay mentally and physically in shape as a senior.
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Your health becomes more important as you age, and you’ll want to ensure you stay as healthy as possible. So, what can you do to stay in tip-top shape? Make your physical and mental health a priority.
Adopt these five healthy habits into your routine and start prioritizing your health:
Exercise your body
Age shouldn’t keep you from getting up and exercising. However, it is important to practice safe exercises that are not too strenuous or dangerous. Moderate-level workouts can have the same health benefits as high-intensity ones when done on a regular basis.
Some of the best senior exercises you can do are swimming, yoga, cycling, Pilates, gardening, and going on a daily 20- to 30-minute walk. Exercising daily has many benefits like reducing risk of heart disease, diabetes, and osteoporosis.
Related: Low-Impact Workouts for Seniors
Exercise your mind
Just like your body, keeping your brain sharp is especially important as you age. Neurological and mental health disorders—like dementia—are more common in older adults. A few ways to do so are getting enough sleep every night, eating healthy and including fish and foods that contain omega-3s, and giving your brain mental exercises.
You can strengthen your cognitive muscles by doing puzzles, learning a new language, reading a new book, or even taking a new class in your community.
Stay social
Did you know that excessive loneliness can actually increase your risk for ailments like dementia, depression, and physical decline? Making socialization a priority is a great way to stay healthy.
Socialization has been known to improve mental ability and memory, and decrease stress in seniors.
If you live near family, spend time with them often. When you are unable to visit, use video chats to stay connected. You can also join a book club or another group to allow yourself social opportunities.
Related: The Feeling of Loneliness and its Impact on Physical Health
Practice prevention
It is important to stay on top of your health. There are many preventative actions you can take as a senior to maintain your health. Talk with your doctor to find what preventive measures you can take to ensure you stay in tip-top shape.
For example, consider getting a flu shot every year, because you’re at higher risk for severe side effects from influenza. You also might want to consider getting pneumonia; shingles; and tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (T dap) vaccines.
Other preventative measures you can take are getting regular cancer screenings, such as colonoscopies and mammograms, and taking the recommended supplements and vitamins to keep your body working properly.
Stay connected with your doctor
Ultimately, the best thing you can do to optimize your health is to frequently check in with your primary care doctor. Your doctor can help you figure out what changes to your lifestyle may be most beneficial to you and your health goals.
