Health tips for senior citizens

Reaching the age of 60 can be daunting for anyone. As one grows older, there are a lot of changes one goes through, be it physical, mental or emotional. If you have had healthy habits in your youth, you will be a healthy senior. However, even if you didn’t, it’s never too late to start inculcating healthy habits in your lifestyle.

When it comes to being healthy, it is not just about eating healthy. You have to make changes in your routine for the betterment of your physical and mental health. Here, we have compiled a list of health tips that will help you live a healthy life after your 60s:

1. Healthy food

As you grow old, the fat requirement of the body decreases, but it still needs nutrients. So, you need to include foods that are packed with minerals, vitamins, and other nutrients like whole grains (brown rice, whole-wheat bread, oatmeal), nuts, beans, seeds, eggs, seafood, poultry, lean meats, low-fat milk, cheese, fruits, and vegetables. You also need to stay away from foods with butter, desserts, and sugar-sweetened drinks.

2. Quit bad habits

This is a crucial step towards a long, healthy life. Your body is not young anymore and cannot bear the harsh effects that come from smoking and drinking. These will not only make you vulnerable to strokes, heart failure, and cancer, but also reduces your stamina. Your skin will lose its elasticity making you look older than you are. There are several resources that can help you quit smoking. Ask your friends and family to help you. For quitting smoking, you can try nicotine patches or e-cigarettes.

3. Be informed

People in their 60s are usually dealing with a lot of health issues. Their body is not as strong and immune to diseases as it used to be. So, if you have a chronic illness, you should be aware of all the consequences that avail. For example, you should know about all the vaccinations, preventative screenings, and things you need to avoid while taking your medications, etc.

4. Prevention is better than cure

Older people are more vulnerable to certain diseases. So, you need to take preventative measures in order to fight off the disease. For example, older people are at risk of developing skin cancer because as we age, our skin starts to get thin. You can notice that by seeing how long a bruise or a small cut can take for healing. To prevent that, you must protect your skin from sunlight by applying sunblock before stepping out into the sun or wearing a wide brimmed hat.

5. Take care of your surroundings

Senior citizens must live in an environment that prevents any physical injuries. When older people fall, they have it worse because their body is not as good at healing as it used to be. You can try by adding rugs, instead of carpet. Make sure that there are night lights everywhere. Wear shoes that provide good ground support reducing the chances of falling. Keep the house clutter free.

6. Be socially active

You can often see old people losing contact with their friends and family and accepting a life of loneliness. But this will only worsen your situation. You need the love and support of your friends and family members. There are clubs and communities that will help you socialize with people with similar interests. This will keep you interactive and motivated and help you deal with isolation and feeling of sadness.

7. Physical Health

Physical exercises keep you healthy at every age. After you reach 60, you can start doing some light exercises that will help you improve your balance, endurance, flexibility, and strength. There are certain activities that are considered healthy for senior citizens like aerobic exercises. If you were not physically active when you were young, you should start slow and gradually move on to more heavy exercises. This will help you live a longer, healthier life.

8. Stay happy

Your mental health has its own importance. It is a very crucial tip because retirement and old age can bring a lot of mental changes in a person’s life. Your whole life has changed but instead of seeing it as an end, think of it as the beginning of a new era. Try new things. You should start meditating to help you stay happy and have a positive outlook towards life and the world. Stay in touch with old friends and talk to new people. Find a new hobby that keeps you busy and gives a new meaning to your life.