Senior Health: End 2020 Stronger and Healthier With These Tips on Healthy Aging
As we wrap up 2020, we’ll be spending the month of December laying the foundation for better health in 2021. This week, our focus is on senior health and how to feel your healthiest and strongest as you age. Then, in the coming weeks we’ll share more practical health and wellness strategies for readers of all ages. It’s the perfect way to ensure you’re ending this year strong, and are ready for all the opportunities and adventures of the new year. Let’s dive in!
Vibrant Aging: 4 Steps For Better Senior Health
Baby boomers are the fastest-growing population in America right now. And today, we’re all living longer than ever. Aging doesn’t have to mean slowing down. As you add those extra candles to your birthday cake, consider adding these 4 steps for boosting your senior health and ensuring you’re able to chase your goals and live your dreams with youthful vigor and energy.
1. Do Low-Impact Exercise Daily
A recent study found that nearly 25% of senior adults don’t get enough physical activity.
Regular exercise brings numerous anti-aging benefits for all of us. This includes:
- Lowered risk of many chronic diseases that tend to rise as we age, such as diabetes
- Improved balance and coordination, reducing the risk of falls and slips
- Increased mobility and strength, ensuring we can live independently for as long as possible
- Enhanced mood and sense of well-being
- Reduction in chronic pain and inflammation, including improved mobility and ease of movement if you have arthritis
- Healthier blood sugar levels and cardiovascular health
- And so much more
Unfortunately, a recent study found that one out of four older adults doesn’t get enough physical activity. Add more exercise to your daily routine, specifically low-impact activities. Example low-impact exercises include:
- Chair yoga, which enhances flexibility from the comfort of your home or office desk
- Walking, including “mall walking” and similar indoor activities
- Swimming, where the water’s buoyancy removes impact while also increasing resistance (which translates to a leaner body and stronger muscles)
- Resistance band workouts, which let you reap the benefits of lifting weights without the stress and strain of holding a heavy weight
These low-impact workout ideas boost your physical health while also protecting your joints and bones as you age. Speaking of joint health…
2. Protect Your Joint Health
Millions of Americans (an estimated one in four adults) have been diagnosed with arthritis. Many more are undiagnosed, or have other joint health problems. And joint health concerns increase as we get older.
Whether you’re currently experiencing joint health concerns, or you want to take preventative measures to protect your joints as you age, consider the following:
- Exercise regularly: This lubricates your joints and keeps stiffness and inflammation at bay.
- Take joint supplements, such as omega-3s, MSM and glucosamine
- Eat an anti-inflammatory diet
- Make sure you’re getting enough calcium and vitamin D through your diet or your supplements
- Maintain a healthy weight, because a few excess pounds can put extra stress on your joints and tendons
3. Consider Cognitive “Insurance”
If you have a specific aging concern, research your supplements. There are many ways to naturally support your health as you get older.
Many of us are worried about cognitive decline as we get older. Take measures now — think of it as cognitive health insurance — to keep yourself thinking clearly and mentally sharp:
- Exercise: Yes, we’ll keep repeating this. Regular physical activity continues to be one of the best anti-aging remedies in many areas of our lives.
- Consider nootropics (all-natural brain boosters) like resveratrol, acetyl-L-carnitine, Omega-3, and ginkgo biloba, all which studies suggest may enhance cognitive function.
- Get enough sleep: Many older adults struggle with sleep, yet it remains one of the best ways to restore cognitive function and enhance memory and learning. If you struggle with getting enough Zs, consider eliminating caffeine, taking sleep-enhancing supplements like melatonin, and engaging in relaxing nighttime activities like a relaxing bath or getting cozy with a book.
4. Rethink Your Immunity Supplements
As you get older, your immune system starts to decline. One major cause of this may be your thymus, which produces thymic proteins. Your immune system needs thymic proteins to “train” your immune cells and ensure a quick and effective immune response to bacteria, viruses and other health problems. However, your thymus gland starts to atrophy and stop working as you age.
Beyond classic immunity-enhancing supplements like vitamin D and vitamin C, consider BioProPlus-500. This supplement contains five bioidentical thymic proteins to support your immunity, and also includes the essential mineral zinc.
Interested in Learning More About Senior Health? Keep Reading: