3 Great Ways to Boost Health as You Get Older
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It’s empowering to realise that it’s never too late to start thinking about preserving your health and making lifestyle changes to facilitate better health in your senior years. You have the power to shape your future health.
A Sport England review found that more over-55s are becoming more active, and this can only be a good thing, as everyone knows the importance of activity at any age. However, another study discussed in The Guardian found that over-50s are living longer now than at any other time in history but are living in worse health than ever before.
While 70 is the new 60, you need to aim to be as healthy as possible as you move towards more significant age levels so you can glide through the rest of your life with ease.
So, what can you do to help you preserve, maintain, or improve your health at 40, 50, 60, or beyond?
Quit Bad Habits
Quite honestly, most people have picked up a bad habit or two as they move through adulthood. No one is perfect, and if you’re being truthful, you probably have at least one thing you want to stop or change right now. Be it smoking, drinking a bit too much alcohol, eating too much junk food, or anything else. While some habits are harmless, others can be detrimental to your health. For instance, smoking can increase the risk of lung cancer and heart disease, while excessive alcohol consumption can lead to liver damage and obesity. This means you’re causing more damage to your body than good.
Let’s say you want to give up smoking. There are multiple options available for you. You can try switching to vaping and weaning off nicotine products. Products like the Aspire Veynom Air can potentially help you switch out a reliable pod vaping system, while nicotine gum or patches can be part of your journey, so do not give up altogether. It’s about finding the right option for you and making small changes you can sustain to help you get from where you are now, past the hard part of quitting and remaining on an even keel so you don’t fall backwards.
Get Active
Physical activity is not one-size-fits-all. It’s about finding what works for you, even if you have limited mobility. There are plenty of low-impact activities that can help you stay active and maintain muscle mass and mobility.
Low-impact activities like aqua aerobics, swimming, walking, chair-based exercises, and yoga are all ideal for easing into being more active and helping you retain muscle mass and mobility. Incorporating stretching and mobility exercises to facilitate improved movement and range of motion is also beneficial if you can’t go out and run or at a gym, for example, and can be carried out at home.
Strength training, if you can, and cardio are ideal at a level you can manage or work towards new goals if you’re experienced. They can further improve fitness and agility as you age and help you combat the signs of ageing associated with more advanced years. Strength training can help maintain bone density and muscle mass, while cardio can improve heart health and endurance.
Get Social
Now, health isn’t just physical health; it’s mental health too, and loneliness is no joke for people of any age, but it’s more deadly for seniors. A lack of human connection or interaction can lead to increased risks of cognitive decline and conditions such as Alzheimer’s and dementia. Not to mention, it plays a huge part in the increase of depression in people over 50.
Aiming to be as social as possible can help you keep the old grey matter working, and the connection you feel with others from simply conversing or engaging can be beneficial to your mental health and cognitive abilities.
Even if you don’t feel like talking to people, finding groups you can join even if you don’t feel like joining in, spending time with friends and family, or volunteering if you’re able can help you remain mentally active and in good health so that you can enjoy your retirement years in the best way possible.
When it comes to improving your health in your senior years, it is important that you assess your level and work from your starting point so you don’t push yourself too hard. Start by making small, manageable changes. Don’t take on too much at once. Take small steps towards your goal and get over it, and when you get there, you can go and enjoy a new and improved you that can take on anything life throws at you.
This article is for information only. If you have any concerns about your physical or mental health, or would like help with addictions, please talk to your health practitioner.
