It is crucial to maintain a healthy lifestyle. This is even more essential for seniors. Health issues become more challenging for individuals above the age of 65. Simple illnesses such as the common cold or flu might spiral out of control in seniors. It can turn into bronchitis, pneumonia, or sinus infection.
This is even more detrimental if you suffer from a chronic condition. Luckily, you can protect yourself through healthy living. A healthy lifestyle boosts your immune system. It also lowers the risk of getting a disease. Here are seven essential lifestyle tips for seniors.
- Being Active
Maintaining physical activity boosts your immune system. When you move more often than you remain at rest, your body develops the capacity to fight infections and inflammation. You do not need to engage in strenuous activities to keep fit. Instead, take part in low impact physical exercise. Some of the activities you can do regularly include swimming, walking, and low-intensity aerobics. You should also focus on strengthening your body muscles through yoga and weight lifting.
The secret to being consistently active is to engage in physical activities that you love.
When you become physically active, you maintain body balance, strength, and flexibility. You also improve your cardiovascular health. You will be able to maintain a healthy weight and reduce stress. In turn, you will sleep better, have better immunity, and feel better.
It is important to note that mobility in old age may come with some challenges. Therefore, if required, you must not shy away from using products like grabbers for support. With age, many seniors might have urinary incontinence. In such cases, you can also use adult diapers to increase your comfort and confidence as you move.
2. Eat Healthily
You are what you eat. This statement of fact becomes apparent when you have more to lose by eating junk.
The diet of a senior should consist of lean meats, vegetables, and fruits. These foods enhance your immune system and give you more strength. Your body has a better chance of fighting disease-causing bacteria and viruses when you eat good food.
Vegetables and fruits are natural sources of essential antioxidants. When you eat more vegetables and fruits, you protect your cells from harm.
Eating healthy food and maintaining physical activity strengthens your immune system. It gives you a better chance of preventing heart diseases, osteoporosis, and obesity.
You should also take dietary supplements. Women who take Vitamin D and Calcium supplements have a better chance of preventing osteoporosis.
3. Take Preventive Measures
Prevention is better than cure. Make frequent preventive care trips to your physician. You should go for health screening to check for heart problems, test for colon cancer and cholesterol levels. It would help if you also considered getting medicare coverage.
Seniors are susceptible to pneumonia and influenza. Protect yourself by getting pneumonia and influenza vaccinations.
If you have glasses, you should have your prescription inspected annually for changes. Getting eye screening will ensure you have the right prescription at all times and reduce your chances of falling.
4. Dentist Checks
Visit your dentist at least twice a year. The risk of developing cavities increases as you grow old. Also, most mouth infections indicate an underlying health condition. These conditions include stroke, heart diseases, and diabetes. It is for this reason that you need to visit your dentist regularly.
5. Mental Health
It is easy to overlook mental health when dealing with seniors. When you take part in a mentally engaging activity, you do not sink into stress. Maintain good mental health by engaging in activities that you like. Activities such as writing, reading, doing crossword puzzles are good for the mind. You are also advised to try new things. This will stimulate your mind and help you connect with your surroundings.
These activities are also good for stress management. Seniors are more likely to get chronic stress than younger individuals. This increases the secretion of the stress hormone in the body. A lot of stress hormones will disrupt some functions within your body and likely affect your immune system.
6. Rest Frequently
You have to rest. Get enough sleep to reduce your stress levels and allow your body to repair itself. More sleeping hours build stronger body immunity. Your body can fight disease-causing organisms better.
Seniors who sleep more than seven hours daily have better concentration and memory.
If you experience sleep difficulties, consult a doctor. Common causes of lack of sleep include taking lots of caffeine and inactivity. It may also be an indication of an underlying condition such as sleep apnea.
7. Maintain Social Contact
Spend more time with your family and friends. Seniors who are in constant communication with their children and grandchildren feel connected. A senior who spends more time with their family is generally happy.
Old age is a blessing. But it comes with its fair share of health challenges. Use these tips to boost your immunity and maintain a healthy body in your old age.
