There are a variety of ways to stay active as you age. A few ideas include: regular health screenings, physical activity, and getting plenty of sleep. You can also get active with daily activities like sweeping floors or gardening. Many people feel more comfortable exercising in a group than by themselves, so consider joining a walking or exercise group if you prefer doing it on your own. Exercise can also come in the form of daily activities, such as doing the dishes and sweeping the floor.
Physical activity
There are many benefits to regular physical activity, and wilmacliving.com mainly focuses that older adults can start by gradually increasing their activity level. The best way to begin is with light-moderate activity, such as walking. While this type of exercise is not considered high-intensity, it can help older adults maintain cardiovascular health and lower the risk of falling. The recommended amount of physical activity for older adults is 30 minutes a day, broken into three 10-minute sessions.
Regular physical activity can help older adults feel and look younger. It also reduces the risk of developing certain conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity. It can also improve mood and fight depression. In addition, it may even improve cognitive function.
Getting enough sleep
It is important for older adults to get enough sleep to maintain health and wellness. In general, healthy adults need seven to nine hours of sleep a night. However, some older adults may require more or less sleep than that. If you regularly feel tired and run down, consult with your doctor.
There are a variety of health conditions that can affect sleep, including diabetes, heartburn, arthritis, osteoporosis, and Alzheimer’s disease. Many of these conditions cause frequent waking up at night. It’s important to see your GP to rule out any underlying medical problems. Some medications can also cause sleeplessness.
Insomnia can also be caused by lack of social engagement. Social activities such as volunteering, joining a senior’s group, or taking adult education classes can keep an older adult engaged and active. Lack of sunlight also interferes with sleep. It’s possible to use a light therapy box to help older adults fall asleep.
Related: The Most Common Health Concerns for Seniors
Connecting with others as you age
As you age, it is important to continue to socialize with other people. Studies have shown that older people who maintain close relationships with others are more likely to live longer, have better health, and experience less depression and other adverse health conditions. Social networks are also important for coping with life’s transitions. Major life events such as a move away from family or the birth of a new child can impact your social networks negatively or positively. Additionally, if you live in a remote area with limited transportation, you may experience loneliness.
In addition to the physical benefits of physical activity, socializing with others improves our mental and physical health. Being social with others can be challenging for older adults who do not engage in activities that require social interaction. However, if you do find that your social life is lacking, there are several ways to improve it. Among them, you can enroll in classes and seek medical treatment.
Getting a MIND diet
The MIND diet is a hybrid of the DASH and Mediterranean diets. It emphasizes eating foods that support brain health and prevent cognitive decline. It does not limit calories, but it limits the amount of fats consumed. Many people may be skeptical at first, but it does have some benefits for older adults.
The diet focuses on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and fish. It also emphasizes unsaturated fats from olive oil and low amounts of red meat. It also incorporates elements of the DASH diet, which has been shown to lower high blood pressure and the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. It also limits the consumption of sweets, cheese, and fried foods.
A MIND diet can reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and cognitive decline. Studies have shown that people following the MIND diet have a 53 percent reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease compared to people eating a typical diet. Researchers also found that older people who followed the MIND diet closely had lower risks of dementia and cognitive decline.