Many people make resolutions to start the new year off on the right foot. Making resolutions is a great way to reflect on the past year and help you focus on the goals you want to attain in the year ahead. One of the most common resolutions made each and every year is to Live A Healthier Lifestyle. Making a commitment to better health is very important for everyone but especially as we begin to get older. The only problem is that most of the resolutions we make fall by the wayside by the time February rolls around. We want to help you achieve your health goals, so we’ve put together a list of tips to help those over 65 get and stay healthy.
Do What You Can To Manage Stress
Stress wreaks havoc on your health so it’s important to do what you can to manage stress. That will look different for different people so here are a few of our ideas:
- Start each day with something positive however that looks to you some ideas include reading scripture, meditation, listing 3 things you are thankful for.
- Schedule some me time each day. Do something you love like reading, taking a walk, soaking in a tub, or listening to your favorite pod cast.
- Spend time with your friends and family.
Make Sure You Get Plenty Of Sleep
Sleep is so important! Do your very best to get 7 – 9 hours of sleep each night. If you have trouble falling asleep make sure to limit screen time and caffeine before bed. Following a bedtime routine including setting a specific bedtime can also enhance your ability to fall and stay asleep.
Exercise
Regular exercise is a great way to give your immune system a natural boost! It is also important as we age to incorporate strength training into your exercise routine. 20 – 30 minutes a day of exercise is ideal and can include a brisk walk, swimming, bike riding, hiking, yoga or a trip to the gym.
Eat Well
We are not talking about dieting here, instead we are focusing on making sure what you are putting in your mouth is good for you! Our best advice, drastically reduce your sugar intake and avoid processed and fatty foods.
Hydrate
Your senses begin to diminish when you are over 65. We commonly talk about diminished vision and hearing loss, but no one really thinks about losing your sense of thirst, but it happens! Make it a point to drink plenty of water. Make it a goal to drink half your body weight in ounces each day. That means if you weigh 180 lbs. you should be drinking around 90 ounces of water daily!
Engage Your Brain
Living a healthy lifestyle should also include making sure you are taking steps to keep your brain healthy! We’ve got several ideas for you:
- Take a class. Try something you’ve always wanted to try but never had time for before!
- Volunteer or mentor someone.
- Read and/or keep a journal.
- Do crossword, word search or sudoku puzzles
At Acuity Health Advisors we believe in helping our clients live their best lives! That means providing valuable information that enhances the quality of life at any age. If you have any feedback on the information we’ve provided above, please feel free to reach out to us!