Healthy living is important for everyone, but can be especially crucial in the senior years. Older parents will enjoy a better quality of living if they pay more attention to nutrition and exercise. Let’s take a look at the top tips older parents can use to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Get active and boost your immune system
Exercise is important for your health, but it’s often overlooked. The more you exercise, the stronger your immune system becomes.
Let’s look at some of the other benefits that older parents can get from being active and exercising:
- Improved flexibility
- Strengthen your muscles
- Bone density increases
- Improved mental health and cognitive function
- Immune system boosted
Regular exercise has many benefits. Ask your general practitioner or a trainer what level and type of exercise is best for you.
Eat a healthy and balanced diet
A balanced and nutritious diet is essential for good health in the later years of life. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Avoid foods that increase bad cholesterol. Avoid foods high in sugar.
Avoid skipping important meals, and eat slowly when you do. Avoiding digestive problems will be easier if you do this. Limit your portions to boost your energy, relieve your digestive system of stress and maintain a healthy body weight.
Add Vitamins to Your Daily Routine
Multivitamins, and other supplements can be added to the daily routine of older parents. You will be able to get enough essential nutrients every day. If you have been diagnosed with a vitamin or mineral deficiency, supplements are especially important.
Discuss dietary supplements again with your GP and nutritionist so that you are aware of what to take, when, and how much. Although taking vitamins and supplements is beneficial, too much of any vitamin or mineral can have adverse effects.
Stay Hydrated at All Times
It is important to stay hydrated all the time. Water is essential to your health. Drink water regularly throughout the day, and particularly when doing physical activities or exercising. Avoid flavoured beverages as much as you can. They contain a lot of sugar, artificial colours and flavors and can cause dehydration.
Exercise your Mind as well as Your Body
Older Parents should engage in brain-stimulating activities to stimulate and target the brain. These mental exercises can help prevent conditions like dementia, and also maintain a sharp mind.
Crossword puzzles and board games are great for improving your cognitive function. Reading, watching educational TV and videos, writing, and doing other cerebral activities can also be beneficial. For improved cognitive function, you could focus on learning a hobby or a language.
Keep away from sick people
Even a healthy senior’s immune system is lower than a young person’s. If you are aware of someone suffering from an mental illness, keep your distance and wait until they are fully recovered. In the elderly, there is a greater risk of getting sick.
When it comes to preventing infections, you should wash your hands with antibacterial soap regularly. It is a good idea to carry hand sanitiser wherever you go.
Take time to relax and manage stress
It is important to manage your stress as you age. Stress and anxiety are linked to high blood pressure, among other problems. Spend some time every day relaxing and clearing your mind. You might want to consider taking up meditation or other classes to learn how to relax and reduce stress.
Resting enough is also important. It is important to get enough restful sleep every night.
See Your Doctor for Regular Physicals
You can achieve your fitness and health goals in the later years of life by having a checkup and physical every year or more often. This will allow you to detect any potential problems early and take steps to reduce or prevent them.
When a physical is performed, conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes can be detected and treated early. This will reduce the severity of those conditions.
The Takeaway
Older parents can improve their health to live longer and with a higher quality of life. Enjoy your golden years by focusing on healthy living every day. Good health is the foundation of a great life.