Proactive Lifestyle - Key To Healthy Ageing

One cannot alter their genes or change much of their surroundings, but can always make conscious lifestyle decisions that may help improve their health

Being informed about the correct diet, activity, sleep, or the perils of addiction such as smoking can reduce health risks and add years to your life.

Here are a few easy measures that will help you start changing your lifestyle for the better.

Taking care of your health

Taking care of one’s physical health involves staying active, making healthy food choices, getting enough sleep, limiting alcohol intake, and proactively managing health. Small changes in each of these areas can go a long way to support healthy ageing.

Get moving: Exercise and increase physical activities

Physical activity is a cornerstone of healthy ageing. Scientific evidence suggests that people who exercise regularly don't only live longer, but also live better, enjoying more years of life without pain or disability.

Along with the other benefits it comes with, exercise is an essential tool for maintaining a healthy weight. Adults with obesity have an increased risk of death, disability, and many diseases such as type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. However, thinner is also not always healthier either. Being or becoming too thin as an older adult can weaken your immune system, increase the risk of bone fracture, and in some cases may be a symptom of disease. Both obesity and underweight conditions can lead to loss of muscle mass, which may cause a person to feel weak and easily worn out. As people age, muscle function often declines. Older adults may not have the energy to do everyday activities and can lose their independence. However, exercise can help older adults maintain muscle mass as they age.

Healthy eating: Make smart food choices

Making smart food choices can help protect you from certain health problems as you age and may even help improve brain function. As with exercise, eating well is not just about your weight. With so many different diets out there, choosing what to eat can be confusing. The Dietary Guidelines suggest an eating pattern with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats, and lean proteins. A low-salt diet called Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) has also been shown to deliver significant health benefits. Studies testing the DASH diet found that it lowers blood pressure, helps people lose weight, and reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

Alcohol and other substances

Like all adults, older adults should avoid or limit alcohol consumption. In fact, aging can lead to social and physical changes that make older adults more susceptible to alcohol misuse and abuse and more vulnerable to the consequences of alcohol. Alcohol dependence or heavy drinking affects every organ in the body, including the brain.

When it comes to habits like smoking, it doesn’t matter how old a person is or how long they’ve been smoking, research confirms that even if a person is 60 or older and has been smoking for decades, quitting will improve your health. Quitting smoking at any age will:

● Lower your risk of cancer, heart attack, stroke, and lung disease

● Improve your blood circulation

● Improve your sense of taste and smell

● Increase your ability to exercise

● Set a healthy example for others

In conclusion, a proactive lifestyle is crucial for healthy ageing in seniors. By engaging in regular physical activity, maintaining a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, managing stress, and staying socially connected, seniors can improve their physical and mental health, enhance their overall quality of life, and reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases. Additionally, taking proactive steps towards healthy ageing can help seniors maintain their independence and ability to live fulfilling lives as they age. It is never too late to adopt healthy habits and start living a more proactive lifestyle, and seniors who do so may find that they are able to enjoy their golden years to the fullest.