4 Choices that Promote Healthy Aging
Choices that Promote Healthy Aging – One of the best aspects about growing older is understanding who you are and what you desire in life. You know your strengths, you know your weaknesses and you’re more confident in making choices that reflect who you are and what you want. Here are four choices that we think will help promote healthy aging. So whether it’s combating fatigue symptoms or working on eating nutrient-rich food, these choices can help you age gracefully and healthily.
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1) Choose to be Active
As we get older, maintaining our health becomes increasingly essential. Gone are the days of eating whatever we want and staying fit. We definitely can’t drink to excess and still feel great the next day. And we absolutely can’t skip exercising and think our hearts will be okay. Choosing to live a healthier lifestyle is one of the best choices we can make as we age. And it all starts with being active.
The CDC recommends adults aged 65 and older get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity each week. But this doesn’t mean running a marathon or working out lifting giant dumbbells at the gym with the bros. It can simply mean taking a brisk walk around the block a few times a week or playing tennis with friends on the weekends. The important thing is that we get our bodies moving and keep them moving on a regular basis.
Exercise helps to keep our hearts healthy, our bones strong, our muscles toned and our minds sharp. It also alleviates chronic fatigue and helps to reduce the risk of many chronic diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer. In other words, being active is one of the best things we can do for ourselves as we age.
2) Choose to Eat Healthily
For most of us, the aging process happens gradually, and we may not even realize it’s happening until we look in the mirror one day and see a few more wrinkles than we used to have. But whether we like it or not, aging is a natural process that happens to us all. And while there’s no way to stop the aging process completely, there are certain choices we can make that can help promote healthy aging and slow the onset of dry skin and thinning hair. Making healthy diet choices is one of the most important things we can do for our bodies.
As we age, our bodies become less able to absorb nutrients from food, and we lose muscle mass. This means that it’s more important than ever to choose foods that are rich in nutrients and will help keep our bodies strong. Foods like leafy green vegetables, lean protein, whole grains and fruits and vegetables are all great choices for promoting healthy aging.
In addition to eating healthy foods, staying hydrated is also important for healthy aging. As we age, our bodies lose more water, so it’s essential to drink plenty of fluids throughout the day. Water is always the best choice, but low-fat milk and 100% fruit juice are also good options.
3) Choose to Prioritize Mental Health
As we age, it’s important to keep our minds healthy and sharp. Unfortunately, mental health often takes a back seat to physical health as we grow older, which explains why research indicates that 20% of people over 55 years old may have some type of mental health problem. We may think that because we don’t have any visible symptoms, our mental health is just fine. However, mental health is just as essential as physiological health, and failing to address it can lead to significant difficulties in the future.
We can do several things to enhance our mental health as we grow older. Learning new things and expanding our horizons keeps our brains active and engaged. Staying socially connected is also important, as it helps stave off loneliness and isolation. Additionally, managing stress in a healthy way can help reduce the risk of developing anxiety or depression. And, finally, eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly can help improve our moods and cognitive function.
Making the choice to prioritize mental health as we age is essential for living a happy, healthy life. By taking steps to keep our minds active and stress-free, we can enjoy our golden years to the fullest.
4) Choose to Take Charge of Your Healthcare
One of the most important choices you can make as you age is to take charge of your healthcare. That means being an active participant in your own care rather than just passively following your doctor’s orders.
As we age, health needs begin to change. You will have to make more decisions about your care. If you don’t take charge of your healthcare, you may not get the care you need or want. From dealing with hot flashes and night sweats to managing chronic conditions like arthritis, there are many things to consider as you age. You may also spend more for your care than you need to if you’re not careful. There are a few things you can do to take charge of your healthcare:
- Stay informed about your health and the changes that come with aging. This will help you know when to see a doctor and what tests or vaccinations you may need.
- Keep track of your medications and note any side effects you may experience. This will help you, and your doctor make sure you are taking the right medications and that they are working as they should.
- Make sure your doctor knows your medical history and understands your current health issues. This will help them provide the best care for you.
- Stay up to date on your shots and screenings. These can help prevent serious health problems down the road.
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions or speak up if you’re not comfortable with a treatment plan. You have a right to know what is going on with your health at all times.
Taking charge of your healthcare is one of the best things you can do for yourself as you age. It will help you stay healthy and save money in the long run.
The Choice Is Yours
We may not be able to stop the aging process, but we are not powerless. There are many choices we can make that will promote healthy aging and improve our quality of life. Eating a healthy diet, staying hydrated, exercising regularly and taking charge of our healthcare are all important steps we can take to stay healthy as we age. Making these choices now will help us enjoy our golden years to the fullest.