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Expert Advice For Senior Living
Staying healthy and being your best self is important at any age and that doesn’t diverge just because you have a few more grey hairs. As we continue to age, we experience major life changes, including career transitions and retirement, the loss of loved ones, children leaving home, and physical changes. How we deal with and grow from these challenges is crucial to staying healthy. We have compiled tips to help you maintain your emotional and physical health and live life to the fullest, whatever your age or circumstances.
To comprehend successful aging, it’s essential to first know what gives aging a negative vibe. Many seniors have at least one of these common aging fears, according to the poll at Oxford Healthcare:
Fear of dependence
Running out of funds
Declining health
Not being able to stay at home
Strangers taking care of them
Inability to continue their own activities of daily living
Not being able to drive
Death of a spouse or loved ones
Loneliness or Isolation
Fear of falling or hurting themselves
Loneliness is injurious to your health. If you feel lonely — whether you are living alone or with someone, have lots of contacts or none — you are more prone to depression or dementia. Seniors who report feeling left out and lonely have more trouble with daily tasks like climbing stairs and bathing. They also die earlier than less-lonely individuals. Researchers reveal that lonely folks have higher levels of stress hormones that lead to inflammation, or swelling, linked to diabetes and arthritis.
Tip: So keep yourself busy in making friends. Do volunteer work or simply help someone in need. All you need to do is connect.
One in eight seniors (aged 65 and above) in the United States has Alzheimer's disease, and some degree of cognitive decline is considered a standard part of aging. Studies reveal that a lifestyle that embraces cognitive stimulation through active learning halts cognitive decline.
Tip: Never put a stop to learning and challenging your mind! Learn a new language, take dance lessons, learn to play a musical instrument, attend lectures at a local university, or just read a book.
Regular exercise is one of the supreme keys to mental and physical well-being. Living an active life will help you stay adequately fit to maintain your independence to go where you want and perform your daily activities. Regular exercise may prevent or even offer relief from many common chronic conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, depression, and arthritis, to list a few.
Tip: The idea is to stay active, so do anything you will enjoy. If you are not the kind of person who will follow a regular gym routine, go on a walk or ride your bike every day as an alternative. Try to incorporate balance, aerobic, and muscle-strengthening activities into your routine.
A key ingredient in the formula for healthy aging is the enduring ability to find joy and meaning in life. As you age, your life will change and you will progressively lose things that previously occupied your time and offered your life purpose. For instance, your job may change, you may ultimately retire from your career, your children may leave for college, or family and friends may move far away. Moving forward at this time is more important than ever. Later life can be a time of exhilarating new adventures if you let it.
Tip: Plan a trip to somewhere new or go on a weekend trip to a place you’ve never been to.
Spend time in nature. Go for a scenic hike, go camping or fishing, enjoy a ski trip, or take your dog for a walk in the park.
As you age, there will be periods of both stress and joy. It’s crucial to build your resilience and find healthy ways to survive challenges. This aptitude will help you make the most of the good times and keep your perspective when times are rough.
Tip: Many things in life are beyond our control. Accept the things you can’t change. Instead of stressing out over them, focus on the things you can control, for example, the way you choose to respond to problems. Confront your limitations with dignity and a healthy measure of humor.
The second half of your life can fetch some of your most rewarding decades. You may have more confidence than your younger self. You acquire patience and wisdom. Sure, your face sports more lines and your hair sprouts more grays. But you can grow older with your mind and body as healthy as they can possibly be.
