Healthy Habits for Seniors

Healthy habits change as you age. Your metabolism slows down, reducing the amount you need to eat and exercise, but your body still needs essential nutrients and regular activity to maximize your health during these later years. Here are some healthy habits for seniors that can keep you feeling great.

Exercise

Exercise and generally staying active are widely recommended as heart healthy habits for seniors. The CDC recommends that older adults get about 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise at least 5 days per week. Running, brisk walking, and gardening are all great ways to get those minutes in! There are at-home exercises that you can do to help build up muscle strength, as well; the CDC further recommends that you do these at least twice a week. Push-ups, sit-ups, low-intensity weight lifting, and simple, repetitive chair exercises can achieve this. 

Staying physically active in your old age can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, strengthen your muscles and bones, and increase your chances of living longer. You’ll have more energy and feel better for it, too.

Stay Active

Staying active doesn’t just refer to the physical activities you do. When trying to form healthy habits, keeping your brain active and staying present in your community are just as important. Socializing with friends and family, engaging with hobbies, and cognitive activities are just as important to reducing depression and keeping your brain active. 

Social

According to the CDC, seniors who are socially isolated are at greater risk for developing dementia or other serious mental conditions. Daily social interaction among friends and family provide a variety of health benefits, including lowered blood pressure, reduced stress, and reduced risk of some cancers and heart problems. 

If you find yourself feeling isolated, start by scheduling regular get-togethers with friends or family members. Joining clubs, going to restaurants, taking new classes, or attending religious services can all help keep you healthy and feeling less alone.

Mental

In addition to staying in touch with friends and family and keeping up with hobbies, there are different brain activities that can help improve your mental cognition and memory functions. They’re fun, too! Word puzzles, reading, sudoku, logic puzzles, and trivia are all fun ways to give your mind a workout. If you’re looking for something that will keep you social while working out your brain, arts and crafts, chess, volunteering, and bingo are all great options.

Eat Healthier

You don’t have to completely change your diet in order to have a healthy lifestyle, but there are likely a few small changes you can incorporate into your daily routine. Giving your body the right nutrients and maintaining your weight can help you stay active and independent for longer.

The USDA’s new MyPlate tool is a simple way to help you create healthy eating habits every meal. That being said, generally speaking, incorporating lean proteins, whole grains, and fruits and vegetables into your meals will all help you get the nutrients your body needs. Be sure to stay hydrated, too.

Check in with your doctor if you have specific health concerns surrounding the foods you should eat or avoid. They can help you make a nutrition plan, if necessary.

Copeland Oaks Care About Your Health

At Copeland Oaks, we care about your mental, physical, and social health. If you choose to live with us, we can help you achieve your goals and needs in a healthy and safe environment. To learn more, contact us today or schedule a visit.