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Health & Fitness

10 Habits for Healthy Aging

10 easy steps for senior citizens to live a healthier and longer life.

By Susan Tidwell, Executive Director
Plantation
South Duluth

Staying healthy and active should be should be part of everyone’s year-round routine.

There are a number of easy changes seniors and their caregivers can make to their daily routines to support physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. And although many of these are not particularly new ideas, they can make a big difference. 

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  1. Make time to move every day – Studies show that exercise is just as important for mental health as it is for physical health. People who walk just two miles every day are only half as likely to develop Alzheimer’s as those who walk less than two miles each day, according to a recent study from the University of Virginia.
  2. Put down the TV remote – The University of Queensland Australia recently released their finding that every hour spent watching TV can shorten one’s life by 22 minutes.
  3. Laugh a little – Laughter lowers pain and stress hormones, improves immunity, boosts mood and eases fear and anxiety.
  4. Eat a rainbow diet – Including colorful fruits and vegetables at every meal will help ensure a healthy dose of vitamins, antioxidants and fiber. These important nutrients can help prevent illnesses and unhealthy weight gain.
  5. Keep a regular schedule – Going to bed and waking up at the same time every day, even on weekends, helps the brain stay on a regular sleep schedule and promotes a feeling of being rested. Sleep deprivation can impair driving skills, decision making abilities and even memory, and has also been shown to increase the risk of strokes and heart attacks.
  6. Don’t leave home without sunscreen – Select a sunscreen that offers both UVA and UVB protection, and reapply throughout the day to lower chances of developing skin cancer.
  7. Toss the cigarettes – According to the CDC, more deaths are caused each year by tobacco use than by HIV, illegal drug use, alcohol use, motor vehicle injuries, suicide and murder combined.
  8. Don’t avoid the doctor – Seeing the doctor regularly is extremely important, since many diseases can be prevented if early warning signs are detected
  9. Try something new – Attending classes or workshops helps people build new friendships, develop new skill sets and passions, and feel more fulfilled and involved in the community. Studies have also shown that learning and/or trying new things is good for our brains, too!

  10.  Spend time with loved ones – A number of studies have shown that people   
         who maintain satisfying relationships are happier, have fewer health
         problems and live longer.

Making small changes to daily routines can make a big difference for seniors’ health and quality of life. If seniors are concerned about sticking to their new routines, participating with them or enlisting some friends to make the changes with them can help. They’ll be more likely to maintain new positive habits if they have someone to exercise and try new activities with them. As always, seniors should check with their doctor before beginning a new exercise or diet routine, and be careful to make changes gradually. 

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