How to Age With Health in Mind
By Brandi Goodman
Everyone experiences a decline in health as they age. It may be minor for some, such as blurring vision or feeling a little slower to start the day. Others might experience a major decline that leaves them regularly ill or even unable to get out of bed. No matter your circumstances, keep your health in mind as you age so you can maintain as much of it as possible.
Get and Stay Active
You can't be active early in life and expect the results to last forever. You need to get active now and continue to stay active throughout your lifetime. Always make sure to get at least 30 minutes of exercise in per day and work your joints and muscles so you can keep them strong. This will help to prevent falls and injuries as you age and help you avoid being bedridden.
Keep Challenging Your Mind
Memory problems are common as people age. Keep challenging your mind so that you can retain your memories and prevent a significant decline in brain health. Read often. Do puzzles. Play games that make you think. Try a new class. Learn a new language. There's always something you can do to keep yourself learning and your brain working.
Employ Healthy Coping Strategies
Stress can significantly affect our brains and bodies. You may find yourself aging faster when you're regularly stressed out and feeling on edge. Your blood pressure rises. Your brain chemistry is altered. You feel agitated easily. You may even experience poor sleep or become ill because of how stressed you feel. Employ healthy coping strategies to deal with your stressors so they do not eat away at you. Keep track of all the positives in life by writing in a journal. Take regular walks along the beach or through the woods to explore the beauty around you. Spend time with friends. Avoid stress as much as possible so you can age peacefully.
Utilize Methods of Prevention
Prevention is key for avoiding many situations. Putting up grab bars and laying down non-slip mats in the bathroom are simple preventive methods for falling and injuries as you age. Getting a flu vaccine each year can prevent serious illness. Washing your hands every time you use the bathroom or cook food is also preventative. Do what you can to prevent bad situations from happening so they don't even have a chance at affecting your health.
Age with health in mind and live your life fully. You don't want a weakened body to slow you down and prevent you from enjoying your retirement years. Always do what you can to remain healthy and well for the best experience possible.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Arnold, Mo.