Whether or not you are currently in good health, there are key changes we can all make to stay healthy as we age. Think small but powerful in terms of change, and embrace feeling great your whole life!
When it comes to staying healthy as you age, your lifestyle and choices play a large part. But that doesn’t mean major change is required to stay healthy, because a little goes a long way. While you may think that there isn’t a lot that you can control, in fact, there are quite a few things that you can do to help increase your chances of staying healthy.
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For those already in good health, keep up the good work and use our tips to mold your healthy future. Those of us whose health needs work are also in the right place! We begin by creating daily reminders of what’s important to our health, so our habits can follow suit. To help put this into perspective, here are five tips that you should commit to memory so that you too stay healthy as you age.
Stay Healthy Your Whole Life
1. Prevention is Key
When it comes to staying healthy as you age, prevention is one of the most important things that you should keep in mind. For example, the National Council of Aging found that nearly 75% of seniors have at least one chronic condition, while most have two or more. To prevent chronic issues, you can start to make simple lifestyle changes to help lower your risk factors. Things like quitting smoking, eating a healthy diet with more vegetables, engaging in regular exercise, sleeping well, and getting screened regularly all help lower your chances of acquiring a chronic condition. Think small but powerful and start adjusting your lifestyle for the better!
2. Think About Your Skin
While tanning is very popular among many people, it can cause irreparable damage to your skin. Even regular time out in the sun without protection can cause lasting damage. Along with prematurely aging your skin, being out in the sun without sunscreen can increase your risks of skin cancer. To help prevent these issues, limit your sun exposure when possible. When you are in the sun, be sure to always wear sun screen. Cover your shoulders and wear a hat or visor as often as possible. You should also make sure to get a yearly skin cancer screening so that any problem areas can be monitored and addressed as needed.
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3. Treat Injuries Immediately
Untreated injuries can quickly turn into lasting problems if they aren’t treated appropriately and quickly. For instance, studies have shown that physical therapy can lower the cost of treatment by up to 72%. This is because it can help safely repair injured areas, preventing lasting issues from forming. If an injury is left too long, the problem can grow in severity, making treatment more difficult or less effective. There is no reason for you to live with pain, so be honest and get the help you require.
4. Change Your Diet
This one is a biggie, but is easily achieved with incremental change. As the saying goes, you are what you eat, and what you eat can have a major effect on how you age. Dietary guidelines from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommend eating a diet consisting of fruits (natural energy and sugars), vegetables (natural vitamins and minerals), lean protein, whole-grain cereals, rice, bread, low-fat dairy, and healthy fats. You should try to limit solid fats and instead use healthy oils. Processed foods and those with refined sugars and unhealthy fats should be avoided for healthy aging. Not everyone can switch to become vegetarian, but we can all add healthier foods into our diet in place of those that harm us.
5. Make Smart Choices
Lastly, thinking things through carefully and making smart choices is something that impacts your health as you grow older. For example, CDC statistics have found that 1.8% of the 26 million drivers in California admit to driving after having drunk too much. This is not only illegal, but it can be life-threatening. Choices like this, while they may not directly impact your health, can cut your life short, or result in an injury that significantly decreases your quality of life. A little common sense goes a long way.
Similarly, quitting smoking is another smart choice that aging Americans can make. It can both save money and reduce your risk of numerous health issues, many of which can also be life-threatening. Quitting smoking can also increase your ability to workout by increasing your lung capacity and ease of breathing. Things like this have significant effects on your overall health when it comes to aging well.
When it comes to staying healthy as you age, there are numerous things that you can do to help increase your chances of living longer and living healthily. While these are only five examples, they can be some of the most important to consider if you want to create a solid foundation to build a healthier lifestyle. Start small and start right now, because time moves fast enough as it is. Here’s to enjoying every minute!
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