Maintaining physical health becomes vital as people age to ensure they enjoy a better quality of life. Ageing is inevitable, and many physical and mental changes occur as we age. As a result, the physical activities we used to do during our younger years may be more challenging, and we may also start experiencing some aches and pains that were never there before.
Other common conditions accompanying ageing may include difficulty in hearing, forgetfulness, and eyesight problems. Many older people also experience an urge to urinate frequently or lose some urine during certain activities. Although common, people with this condition may be embarrassed and refrain from socialising or participating in physical activities. You can find products to help you cope with ageing-based incontinence at molicre.com.au In addition though, more serious health conditions such as depression, dementia, pulmonary issues, and heart conditions may manifest themselves.
Fortunately, we can stay healthy even as we age by prioritising our health. Although there may be certain limitations to things we can do because of our age, we can still live happy, productive lives.
Here are some ways to maintain physical health as you age.
1. Exercise regularly
Exercise is vital to stay healthy as you get older. It helps strengthen your muscles and bones and improves flexibility and balance, especially as you age. Injuries from falls are common among the elderly, and maintaining your balance is vital in preventing accidents. Exercise also helps prevent chronic health conditions like heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes. Additionally, it enhances mental health, improving your mood, which contributes to your mental and physical well-being. Physical activity need not be strenuous as even walking can provide many health benefits.
2. Maintain a balanced diet
Maintaining a balanced diet is essential to staying healthy as you age. Eating healthily is essential at any age to prevent diseases such as obesity, high blood pressure, and heart disease. Obesity, in particular, is linked to heart problems, diabetes, osteoporosis, and certain cancers. It is best to avoid food that contains many calories but is low in nutrients. These include junk food such as chips, candies, and soda. Instead, take in more vegetables and fruits, lean proteins, and whole grains that promote a healthy weight and provide essential nutrients to maintain good health.
3. Keep yourself hydrated
Dehydration may lead to various health conditions, such as dizziness, fatigue, and constipation. It may also result in more serious consequences like kidney failure, urinary tract infections, and heart conditions. Additionally, a lack of water may keep your body from fighting infections since it impacts your cells’ health. As you age, keeping yourself hydrated is even more necessary. Doctors recommend eight glasses of water daily and less caffeine and other beverages high in sugar.
4. Stress less
It may be challenging to avoid stress as you age. With all the changes happening to your body, worrying is normal. However, stressing too much can affect your health. Chronic stress may lead to anxiety and depression, which also increases the risk of developing other serious health conditions. Focusing on things that frustrate or irritate you can only make you more stressed and unhappy. Instead, keep yourself busy with activities you enjoy and focus on staying happy.
5. Maintain your social life
It is crucial for you to interact with others to maintain your mental and emotional well-being. Doing this is also beneficial for your physical wellness. Undoubtedly, physical activity offers many health benefits, such as alleviating chronic pain, facilitating healing from ailments or injuries, and helping prevent some health conditions. However, the social interactions and relationships you form throughout your life positively impacts your overall well-being. Being around people allows you to stay alert and keep yourself mentally active, which is vital in the prevention of conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. It also uplifts your mood, keeping you from being lonely or depressed. Being around friends and family who care and support you helps you deal with daily stressors, motivating you to live a healthier and happier life.
6. Maintain proper posture
As we get older, changes happen to our spine, like other parts of our bodies. Thus, it is vital to work on maintaining proper posture for several reasons. Firstly, it helps maintain balance, reducing the risk of falling. One of the most common causes of injuries among the elderly is falling, which can result in fractures and other more serious consequences. By maintaining proper posture, you can keep yourself more balanced and avoid falling. Secondly, poor posture pushes your ligaments and muscles to work harder than they should, eventually resulting in spine degeneration and health conditions such as osteoporosis. It is also common for seniors to develop hypertension, which occurs when blood does not flow normally to every part of their bodies. Hypertension increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other health issues like diabetes and obesity. Being mindful of your posture helps prevent diseases, improves confidence, and boosts energy, even as you age.
7. Take extra care of your skin
It is natural for changes to happen in our skin as we age. Aging skin is drier, thinner, and loses elasticity. Additionally, it is more common to experience bruising and other skin conditions that were never an issue before. One of the most common skin issue of ageing is wrinkles. Because aging skin is not as elastic, fine lines and wrinkles tend to appear. Constant exposure to sunlight and unhealthy habits such as smoking contribute to premature ageing and wrinkles. Dry skin is another issue of aging skin, making it more prone to infections resulting from wounds that come from constant scratching. Skin cancer is a more serious condition often resulting from over-exposure to sunlight. Fortunately, maintaining a good skincare routine can help prevent these issues. Using a mild soap, applying moisturizer, and wearing sunscreen are some steps to take better care of aging skin.
As we age, caring for our overall health can reduce our risk of developing chronic diseases, be more independent, and enhance our physical and mental wellness. By prioritizing these strategies, you take excellent steps to stay active and healthy, making your golden years some of the best years of your life.
