By Jason Lewis of http://strongwell.org/-We often think of growing older as a steady decline in health and ability. However, you can maintain your physical and mental well-being with a handful of smart strategies. Here’s how to ensure your golden years are healthy, active, and include good quality of life.
Fit as a Fiddle
Staying physically active is a key to overall health and wellness. In fact, Medicare.org cites statistics indicating that seniors who exercise substantially lower their risk of being injured, spending 25 percent less time with injuries or disabilities than their peers who are not active.
If you are new to exercise, there are ample workout routines appropriate for seniors. Consider something low-impact, but which encourages strength and flexibility. For instance, you can take up walking, swimming, or take a yoga class. If you need to stay inside, there are gyms with swimming pools, or you can walk at a local shopping mall. If your mobility is limited, you can participate in chair yoga, which is now offered every Tuesday at 3:30 at Thrive Yoga and Wellness. The important thing is to find something that you like, and stick with it.
Protect Your Pearly Whites
Many people are surprised at how much overall health relates to dental condition, but in fact, science is finding increasing evidence your dental health relates to many other things. For instance, there appears to be a direct relationship between depression and poor oral condition. Improving your emotional state can mean better oral health, and vice versa. According to Healthline, research indicates that heart health is connected to oral health as well. Also, certain chronic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis might go hand-in-hand with gum disease, and there are indicators that digestive health and oral health are also connected.
Make it a priority to keep your dental care on track with routine checkups and proper oral hygiene, since it seems to be a key to general condition — and bear in mind that there are Medicare Advantage plans which include dental coverage. Consider expanding your benefits during the next enrollment period, or if you’re already enrolled, ensure that you take full advantage of the benefits you’re paying to enjoy.
Find Time for Friends
What is your social life like these days? According to the Chicago Tribune, there is an epidemic of loneliness in the senior population, and there are some serious health consequences. Those with ongoing isolation and loneliness face a similar decline in overall condition to those who smoke 15 cigarettes daily. It appears to affect your cognitive health and might be linked with risk for dementia. On the flip side, some studies indicate that maintaining an active social life can improve your general mental and physical condition, lower your risk for dementia, and even add years to your life. Consider making it a priority to connect with friends regularly. Join a walking group, have lunch each week with your buddies, or even do some volunteering.
Gravitate Toward Greenspace
Getting outside and spending time in nature offers health perks to people of all ages, but you don’t need to be particularly outdoorsy to reap the benefits. Just sitting on a garden bench or strolling in a park can help lower your risk for type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and premature death. Spending routine time in or around nature appears to lower stress levels, blood pressure, and heart rate. If you can’t get outside, bring nature to you with some easy-care houseplants, or spend more time enjoying a window view of nature. Even those seemingly small additions can make a positive impact on your well-being.
You can easily embrace growing older by taking control over your circumstances. Stay physically active, tend to your dental health, remain socially engaged, and enjoy time in nature. You can feel terrific and enjoy a better quality of life as a result.
At Thrive Yoga and Wellness we provide nearly 40 opportunities for you to experience wellness through community and yoga every single week. Even if you have never practiced yoga before, you can find your place here with us today! We invite you to come check us out today with our introductory package where you can get one week of unlimited yoga for just $20! I hope that you’ll join us today!