As a senior, you are unconditionally loved and cherished. At the same time, you’re more prone to injuries or falling sick at two stages of your life.
The long and challenging journey of life can wear you down. You owe it to yourself to look after yourself by paying attention to your physical and mental well-being.
Keeping that in mind, this article will provide suggestions to maintain your health.
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Get Regular Checkups and Screenings
Your body becomes more susceptible to medical issues and ailments as you age. The immune system isn’t as strong as it was during your 20s.
In that case, regular medical appointments would be a wise step to ensure optimal health. These medical visits can include testing bone density, thyroid levels, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, etc.
Apart from regular checkups, you must also be active in getting all the necessary checkups suggested by your doctor as you enter a specific age group.
Ignoring important checkups makes the body susceptible to health issues that could go undiagnosed and cause severe problems when you’re old. This is one of the main reasons why regular screenings can halt the progression of these diseases in time before they cause serious health consequences.
For example, if you’ve worked in the construction industry or served your country in the forces, you could’ve been exposed to harmful toxins. One of the most common elements you’re exposed to is asbestos, known for causing terminal illnesses like Mesothelioma.
God forbid, if you’re diagnosed with Mesothelioma, you should seek compensation by speaking to a lawyer. However, the payment percentages may vary depending on your condition and the doctor’s reports.
We suggest speaking to a qualified, experienced lawyer to learn more.
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Take Measures to Strengthen Your Bones
When you are over 50, the bones lose minerals and calcium, leaving them brittle and prone to breaking even at the slightest strain.
Consider taking vitamin D supplements and increasing calcium intake to strengthen your bones.
However, you must realize that maintaining bone health would require you to make permanent life changes not limited to being selective with your food choices.
Additionally, to keep your bones strong and healthy, speak to a qualified health professional about doing weight-bearing exercises regularly. These include low-impact aerobics, climbing stairs, or gardening.
Moreover, an excellent diet and exercise will ensure that your bones maintain their density for longer.
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Focus on Getting Quality Sleep
A good night’s sleep is essential for people of all ages. Research claims sleeping for 8 hours daily helps maintain mental and physical health.
At the same time, not getting adequate sleep increases beta-amyloid production, which is a protein that plays a significant role in neural growth and repair. The abundance of this protein can cause poor memory or lapses.
An article published by the JMIR Mental Health in 2019 discusses the studies conducted to prove the importance of sleep in maintaining mental well-being. Sufficient sleep is proven to help keep your mood elevated throughout the day and make you more productive and energetic.
It also boosts immunity and plays an essential role in preventing a wide range of diseases and disorders.
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Try Maintaining a Healthy Weight
The main culprit of weight gain in older people is slow metabolism and less physical activity. In women, you can safely pin the blame on menopause as well.
Excessive weight gain can lead to heart-related issues. It can also worsen some of your existing medical conditions. You can boost your metabolism through fiber-rich and leafy green foods to help keep your weight in check.
As for menopause, the amount of weight gain is subjective to each individual and depends on factors like genetics, eating habits, and overall lifestyle.
Your best bet would be to eat a well-balanced diet that promotes glycemic control, which aids in preventing cravings, and a workout routine that helps you keep your body toned.
In a nutshell
As a senior, you must realize that with time, you won’t be as active or healthy as you used to be years ago. This is one of the many reasons you must take the steps necessary to remain healthy.
Moreover, think of the times you’ve spent and give yourself time to reflect on the beautiful journey you’ve had, the memories you made, or the lives you influenced.
At the same time, this is the time when you are free from all kinds of expectations, responsibilities, and challenges, so focus on yourself. Your focus should be on keeping yourself healthy and spending time with your loved ones.
Apart from keeping yourself healthy, focus on spending time with your family. Spend time doing things you love or a new hobby. We hope you learned something from this article; if you want to add your two cents, please do so in the comments below.