Even if you adopt unhealthy habits at a younger age, you can still do well with a lot of energy. But this is not the case as you start getting older. Especially after the age of 50, you start to feel less active and notice the bad effects of your unhealthy lifestyle.
It’s never too late to start with a healthy lifestyle. You can feel as good as you used to just by taking small steps towards being more active. Even if it might take an effort to develop new habits, it’s all worth it in the end.
Let’s have a look at some of the healthy lifestyle changes that can help you stay fit as a senior.
Exercise Regularly
You don’t necessarily have to start with vigorous exercise but simple changes like a walk daily would make a big difference. Exercise can also help improve chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease. It can also help your brain stay more active and perform well.
Consider exercising for at least 20 minutes daily. Start slow with aerobic exercises then gradually work your way to strength training. You can call a friend to make exercise more fun and social. If you experience neck or back pain then stop your exercise routine and get proper neck pain treatment.
Healthy Diet Choices
Channing your entire diet at this age can prove to be harmful to your health. So it’s best to make small changes to your diet. For example, you can replace 2 slices of white bread with a slice of whole-grain bread.
As for your fruits, you can consume fruit juices. If you like salty foods then you can try low-fat popcorn instead of potato chips. Another change to make in your diet is to add more fiber as it reduces the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and colon cancer.
Routine Medical Checkup
Most people don’t pay attention to getting regular checkups. If any disease is diagnosed in its early stage then there are high chances of getting cured.
It is important to go for a routine medical checkup every 6 months. Your physician will perform routine medical tests to evaluate your health condition. A screening test should be performed to identify if there is cancer or other health issues.
Identify Gender-Specific Changes
Many seniors ignore signals when it comes to their sexual function and assume that it’s normally part of aging. Many men of advancing age experience erectile dysfunction. This is not normal and indicates an underlying medical condition or may occur as a side effect of a medicine. Make sure to get a consultation for ed treatment.
Healthy issues common in older women are related to menopause and conditions of the female organ.
Stay Socially Active
With advancing age, you need more social interaction to engage your mind. Make the effort to interact with your friends and family. People who experience more social activity tend to have more positive days and higher levels of physical activity.
If you don’t have an active social life then look for opportunities to reconnect with old friends or make new ones. You can make new friends in gyms or volunteer groups.