Though wrinkles and changes in your skin tone and texture may be the signs of aging, aging healthfully is more than appearances. As you age, it is important to take care of your physical, emotional, and psychological health to ensure that you always live your life to the fullest.
Fortunately, at Transform Your Life PLLC, we understand the various factors that can impact your health as you age. From enhancing your levels of physical activity to improving your diet and attending annual health screenings, these actions can influence various areas of your health.
Be Kind To Your Skin
Did you know that your skin is your body’s largest organ? It is also your first line of defense against harmful bacteria, germs, viruses, and anything else you may come in contact with. Keeping your skin vibrant and healthy can be a commitment but it is worth it as it will better protect your body against these elements. To ensure your skin looks and functions at its best, take these steps:
- Get annual skin cancer screenings
- Stay hydrated and moisturize daily
- Stick to gentle skincare products
- Wear protective clothing and sunscreen while outside in direct sunlight
Embrace Physical Activity
As many of us know, staying active is vital to living a healthy lifestyle. Regular exercise is proven to reduce stress levels, improve sleep quality, boost your immune system, and prevent weight gain.
Exercises can also reduce the risk of having diseases and injury, which are common among the aging population. Balance exercises, for instance, help prevent falls, a leading cause of disability in seniors. Strength training exercises help build muscles and prevent osteoporosis. Stretching and flexibility activities allow your body to be more limber and give you freedom of movement. People with chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and arthritis can benefit from exercise. In addition, heart disease, a prevalent health problem with older adults, may be alleviated by exercising your body.
Though it is recommended that adults get at least 35-60 minutes of exercise a day, that doesn’t mean it has to be all at once. Consider breaking up your workouts so that you can fit them into your schedule better. Remember to follow a routine to maintain a sense of normalcy and listen to your body. You can also consider physical activities such as walking your dog, dancing, gardening and taking the stairs as forms of exercising as well.
Well-Balanced Diet
When it comes to aging gracefully, a well-balanced diet is crucial. Fruits, colorful vegetables, lean proteins, low fat-dairy, and whole-grain products are excellent examples of healthy foods to include in your meals.
Avoid solid fats and instead, use oils for cooking. Remember to limit the number of processed foods, unhealthy fats, and refined sugars you use in your diet or eliminate them where possible. Be mindful of your salt intake as well to keep your blood pressure down.
Drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated and keep up your energy levels.
Your Mental Health
Keeping your stress levels down through meditational practices along with a positive outlook on life will go a long way in improving your wellbeing and health. Check-in with yourself daily and reach out to others if you are in need.
Spending time with loved ones and doing activities you enjoy will help to keep your mood elevated. Meaningful relationships, coupled with strong social networks, and daily routines, help improve your physical and mental wellbeing and longevity.
Practice mindfulness and learn to live in the moment by focusing on the present. Mediations, yoga, and tai chi are excellent examples of practicing mindfulness. These exercises are proven in helping improve focus and memory and stress management.
Reduce Alcohol Consumption and Smoking
Regular alcohol consumption and smoking may cause premature aging and increase your risk of developing certain health conditions such as liver disease and lung cancer. Talk to your doctor about quitting smoking, and limit your alcohol consumption.
The Importance of Sleep
Getting enough sleep at night is vital to helping us make it through the next day. As you sleep, your body uses the time to rejuvenate itself, allowing you to feel well-rested in the morning.
Aim for seven or eight hours of sleep each night. You can improve your sleep quality by darkening the environment and lowering the temperature of your bedroom. Avoid using electronics in bed before sleeping and make a sleep schedule and stick to it. Going to bed and waking up at the same time every day can help your body establish a routine and help you function at your best.
To find out how you can improve your health as you age or to schedule a consultation, contact Dr. Bradshaw today.
