For many seniors, aging brings with it the desire to stay as healthy as possible. Maintaining or improving physical health, sleeping well, and staying active & independent are of great importance to our older loved ones.
As we age and begin to experience changes in need or ability, viewing a healthy lifestyle through the lenses of balance and moderation can help. While this is a great approach at any stage of life, it can be especially beneficial later on. Here’s why.
Exercise in Moderation
We know physical activity is vital for healthy aging and health in general. The benefits are staggering: improved cognitive function, improved cardiovascular health, reduced risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, arthritis, & certain types of cancer, better sleep, and the list goes on.
There are many types of exercise available to fit any senior’s lifestyle, needs and personality. From unstructured activities such as gardening or taking a walk, to sports like swimming and tennis, or a more regimented routine like weight lifting or pilates.
No matter the choice, moderation and balance can be key players in seniors getting the most out of their exercise regimen.
Listen to your body to avoid overload and injury. Take breathers if you start to feel you’re overdoing it and take cues from your muscles. Some soreness is normal with exercise, but soreness that doesn’t go away or joint swelling, for example, indicate it’s time to push pause and visit your doctor. And as always, consult your doctor before beginning any new physical activity endeavor.
Seniors can reap great benefits for their bodies and minds by exercising safely. In fact, safe exercise can improve balance, strength, power, functional ability, coordination, gait, and mobility while decreasing depression, fall risk, and the fear of falling.
Further Reading:
Are you interested in an in-depth discussion on safe, effective exercise for seniors? One Scandinavian Study on “exercise and injury prevention in older people” provides background and practical advice on the best ways to approach exercise.
Healthy Diet
The benefits of a healthy diet are as vast and varied as those of exercise. In addition to lowering risk of cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis, chronic illnesses such as diabetes, as well as certain cancers, eating well can play a vital role in brain health, helping to reduce the risk of dementia and fight the effects of neurodegeneration.
Studies show a healthy diet can even provide a much needed helping hand to those living with anxiety disorders, a population consisting of 40 million adults and 10-20 percent of seniors, though it is often undiagnosed.
Balance and moderation come into play here in different ways.
Alcohol, for example, while best in moderation at any age, can affect us differently as we grow older and our bodies begin handling it differently. It can also interact with many medications.
Where diet is concerned, most of us won’t eat perfectly all the time, and who hasn’t enjoyed that certain snack or meal we “treat ourselves” to on occasion? But the benefits to digging into delicious, fresh foods become even more evident as we age, and these foods are some of the most rewarding:
Last but certainly not least – water. Staying hydrated, not just every day but especially so during the hot summer months and while exercising, is essential to health and wellness at its foundation.
Mind Matters
In the quest to stay as healthy as possible as we age, we can’t overstate the importance of mental health.
For some, fresh air and sunshine are their lifeline. For others, regular social interaction and opportunities to speak to friends and family are their peace. For yet another group, yoga provides their balance.
But the list doesn’t end there; church services, access to hobbies, virtual or in-person counseling to talk it out, accessible technology to watch funny cat videos on the internet. Laughter. The list goes on and on.
Feeding the soul is as important as feeding the body, and it means something a little different to everyone. But the benefits are endless, and it can make all the difference. Mind, body and spirit, there are many ways to add a little ease to aging. Balance and moderation can bring out the best in those methods, helping our loved ones stay active and healthy, maintain their independence longer, and have more energy and fulfillment to enjoy it with.
To learn more on this topic: Current Wellness Trends in Senior Living
