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Kent Probst, BS, MEd
Kent Probst is the owner of Long Healthy Life Blog
Why Tips on Sustaining an Active and Healthy Lifestyle as You Age are Important
As we get older, it’s important to take care of our bodies. Taking steps to stay healthy and strong helps us age gracefully but it can be hard to know where to start. That’s why we’ve put together tips on sustaining an active and healthy lifestyle as we age to give you a starting point.
Tip #1 Exercise Smartly
As we age, our bodies go through natural changes that can affect the way we move and do things throughout the day. Regular exercise can help us stay strong (even stronger in fact), flexible and reduce these potential aches and pains.
When choosing the right exercise for you, find physical activities that you enjoy. Whether it’s sports or just walking with friends, there are many ways to get exercise. A convenient way to start walking is to have a treadmill at home. Here’s where you can learn more about budget treadmills if you’re interested.
To make this habit sustainable, it’s worth enjoying the activity itself. That way, it doesn’t feel like something you need to do, it’s something you want to keep doing.
- Walking, jogging, running.
- Swimming, Tennis, Basketball
- Dancing, Gardening, Yardwork
Tip #2 Stay Hydrated
Drinking enough water is essential for staying healthy, no matter what age. It’s worth noting that according to the National Institute of Health (NIH), 75% of adults in the United States may be chronically dehydrated. To prevent this, it’s important to drink water throughout the day. This is even more important if you’re getting enough exercise or live in hot climates where you sweat a lot more often.
The good news is that getting enough fluids is easy. Here are common fluid sources that we consume often:
- Coffee
- Tea
- Juice
- Fruits
- Vegetables
If you consume enough of the above, that should allow you to stay sufficiently hydrated when paired with drinking plain water. According to Harvard Health, the average daily water for men is about 15.5 cups and for women about 11.5 cups. Just keep in mind that these are averages and some fluid needs will vary from person to person.
Tip #3 Get Enough Sleep
Sleep is an important component of our physical and mental health. That remains true as we get older, since sleep is when our body does self repair and rejuvenation. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the Sleep Research Society recommends adults from ages 18-60 sleep at least 7 hours every night. This promotes optimal health and well being.
The aim is to get around 7-8 hours of sleep every night. Here’s a few suggestions on how to start and maintain a sleep routine:
- Commit to an hour where your night routine starts.
- Reduce any stimulation you get from drinks like coffee and from things like screen time. The less stimulated you are as you wind down, the easier it is to fall asleep.
- Prepare your bedroom. The more calming the bedroom atmosphere, the calmer you feel as you enter the room. Try using dim lights and have the curtains drawn.
Tip #4 Manage Stress
Stress can have a negative effect on our physical and mental health. As we get older, we can experience additional stressors like: health concerns, financial worries or even social isolation. Whatever the source of stress may be, it’s important to find healthy ways to manage it.
A few simple ways you can manage exercise is through exercise, meditation and even spending time with loved ones. By reducing stress, that will make it easier to stay balanced and maintain a positive outlook.
Tip # 5 Stay Connected
Maintaining a social network of friends and loved ones are important for our mental and emotional well-being. As long as you have the right relationships, staying connected as you age can help prevent feelings of loneliness and isolation.
Here’s a few suggestions on how you can stay connected or make new connections:
- Reach out to loved ones. If you have strong ties with any relative, that makes this a good starting point since it will feel like you’re just catching up.
- Joining clubs. Hobbies that you’re interested in or even the exercise you’re enjoying probably has an active community behind it. See if there’s a local group you can join.
- Joining organizations. These are more formal groups but the principle stays the same: finding people who are interested in what you’re interested in.
Action Steps
Staying active and healthy is a lifelong process. The healthier we are as we age, the more empowered we feel to take on new challenges and enjoy life. To bring everything together, here are action steps you can take to get started:
- Find an exercise that you enjoy and a buddy to keep you motivated
- Try new things to keep your mind and perspective fresh
- Make meal planning a family affair and make healthier food choices
- Get enough rest and make regular, quality sleep a priority
- Manage stress regularly
- Stay connected with friends and family to continue building those relationships
By following these tips, you can stay healthy and strong as you age. Remember, it’s never too late to start taking care of your body. So, get out there and get moving!
Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links, and I will earn a commission if you purchase through these links. Please note that I’ve linked to these products purely because I recommend them and they are from companies I trust. There is no additional cost to you.
