Observed annually in September, Healthy Aging Month promotes the physical and mental health of older adults. This article will provide helpful information and guidance on how to continue engaging in a healthy lifestyle.
Taking Care of Your Physical Health
While scientists continue to actively research how to slow or prevent age-related declines in physical health, they’ve already discovered multiple ways to improve the chances of maintaining optimal health later in life. Taking care of your physical health involves staying active, making healthy food choices, getting enough sleep, limiting your alcohol intake, and proactively managing your health care. Small changes in each of these areas can go a long way to support healthy aging.
A study of adults 40 and older found that taking 8,000 steps or more per day, compared to only taking 4,000 steps, was associated with a 51% lower risk of death from all causes. You can increase the number of steps you get each day by doing activities that keep your body moving, such as gardening, walking the dog, and taking the stairs instead of the elevator.
Getting a Good Night’s Sleep
Getting enough sleep helps you stay healthy and alert. Even though older adults need the same seven to nine hours of sleep as all adults, they often don’t get enough. Feeling sick or being in pain can make it harder to sleep, and some medicines can keep you awake. Not getting enough quality sleep can make a person irritable, depressed, forgetful, and more likely to have falls or other accidents.
Go to the Doctor Regularly
Going to the doctor for regular health screenings is essential for healthy aging. A 2021 study found that getting regular check-ups helps doctors catch chronic diseases early and can help patients reduce risk factors for disease, such as high blood pressure and cholesterol levels. People who went to the doctor regularly also reported improved quality of life and feelings of wellness.
Taking Care of Your Mental Health
Mental health, or mental wellness, is essential to your overall health and quality of life. It affects how we think, feel, act, make choices, and relate to others. Managing social isolation, loneliness, stress, depression, and mood through medical and self-care is key to healthy aging.
Healthy Living Tips – The Basics
There are various steps you can take to live healthy. The following list includes many guidelines mentioned earlier, reiterating how to maximize your health as an older adult.
- Stay physically active
- Eat a balanced diet
- Stay hydrated
- Get enough sleep
- Engage in social activities
- Manage stress
- Schedule regular check-ups
- Follow prescribed medication plans
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Avoid smoking and limit alcohol
- Keep the mind active
- Engage in strength training exercises
- Practice good hygiene
- Use mobility aids, if necessary
- Embrace fulfilling hobbies and activities
