Senior Health: 4 Smart Choices for Successful Aging

08.03.2019 WELLNESS 0.0 0

senior health

Skipping your workout session a few times a week or having that huge piece of cake in the middle of the night may seem insignificant today. Besides, you don’t feel the consequences of these actions, so why worry? Even if the consequences aren’t obvious straight away, they will be in the future. The way you treat your body and mind today will have a great impact on their condition over the course of years. In order to keep your good mental and physical health well into your golden age, you need to make some smart choices today. Here are four of them.

Keep your friends and family close

From the earliest age, all throughout getting the education and working, most people are surrounded by others. However, as the years go by, it’s natural that you lose some friends for one reason or another. It’s at this point that you have to put some effort into socializing. Do what you have to not to lose contact with your closest family members, but also your friends or neighbours. Being around people can help keep stress and loneliness at bay, which can help maintain good mental health in the long run. Have lunch with your children or take your grandkids to the park. Organize a get-together from time to time and invite people you care about over for an evening of card games, old films and wine. Try finding some of your old friends through social media, or join some clubs or groups where you can meet new people and make new friends who share your interests, since new people can give you a fresh viewpoint on life.

healthy aging

Put your health first

Even if you feel perfectly fine, there’s no reason for you not to have a regular physical exam with your GP at least once a year. This way you can keep track of any important changes in your body, such as high blood pressure, blood sugar or cholesterol levels. For the situations when you can’t reach your family doctor, Australians have found the perfect solution. They find a reliable home doctor in Sydney to come and treat them in the comfort of their own home. These doctors’ services are covered by Medicare and bulk-billed, meaning that we can all learn something about health services from their model. Other than the annual check-ups, you should also visit your dentist twice a year and get your hearing and eyesight examined at least once each year, or more often if you’ve noticed some difficulties with your hearing and vision.

Embrace new experiences

Not everything exciting in life happens when you’re in your twenties. There are always some interesting and fun things to experience, no matter your age. This is something you should think about, since new experiences may improve your emotional and intellectual function. So, why not take a trip to somewhere you’ve never been? If that’s off the table, then try new food in one of many international restaurants you can find in big Australian cities like Sydney or Melbourne.

Meeting new people and learning about new cultures can be of great benefit to your mental health. Furthermore, taking up an amusing hobby and doing activities like decoupage or gardening can help ward off depression and anxiety, while improving your brain function and lowering the risk of mental diseases, including dementia. So, solve some sudoku puzzles, learn something new occasionally, read as much as you can and stay sharp longer.

healthy aging

Always stay fit

With every passing year, it becomes increasingly difficult to maintain a healthy weight and stay flexible and energetic. This is why it’s important that your diet and workout regimen are in alignment with your body’s needs. For example, your nutritional requirements won’t be the same when you’re 30 and 60. As you age, your metabolism slows down and you spend less energy on everyday activities. This means that you’ll need fewer calories and lighter food, such as fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains, lean meat and low-fat dairy products.

This is something you should talk to your doctor about, as well as any supplements you might need to take. As far as physical exercise is concerned, the important thing is that you keep moving, even if it’s just walking to stay in good shape. However, if you feel up to it, you can always join an adequate gym class or visit your local dance studios to find a more interesting way of being active. Exercising can help you sleep, boost your self-confidence and your mood and provide you with a more optimistic attitude towards life.

The time to think and act is now, so start giving your body the attention and the respect it deserves to stay healthy and well-functioning for decades to come.

Guest post by Scarlet Gratton

About the Author

Scarlet is a passionate writer interested in fashion, lifestyle, and health. She loves traveling. You could say that she is a real travel addict, especially when she has a chance to visit some exotic destinations. She would tell you that inspiration can be found in the most unexpected places. Find Scarlet on Twitter.