When you think about it, we are always in a state of aging – whether we’re 30 years old or 70. But most of us don’t seriously think about the health ramifications of aging until we’ve reached that middle age mark. And then, as the years go by, we feel the aging process more profoundly. It’s not just the gray hair, or the lines on our face. Most of us start to get some aches and pains. Maybe we don’t excel at the sports we loved when we were younger. Perhaps our cholesterol levels and blood pressure rises, or we tire more easily.
While we may not feel as limber and vibrant as we used to, it’s important to remember that aging is a badge of honor. We’ve weathered the storms of life, raised families, carved out communities for ourselves, pursued jobs and careers. That’s why now, perhaps more than ever, it’s important to do what we can to stay healthy, both emotionally and physically. And it’s never too early – or too late – to begin this incredibly important journey.
Healthy Aging is Not Hard
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), healthy aging means adopting healthy habits and making positive lifestyle choices that support our health and well-being as we age. There’s a saying that nurturing your body is also nurturing your mind. And when you think about it, it’s true. Because when the body hurts, the mind often follows. Pain and physical discomfort can cause mood shifts, low energy, sadness, and anxiety. But don’t get discouraged. There are some simple and enjoyable ways to nurture our bodies and souls as we get older.*
Five Simple Ways to Nurture Our Health
Nutrition
Maintain a healthy and balanced diet. We’ve heard a lot about this, but what does it really mean? It means we should eat a variety of foods so that the body gets the full range of nutrients it needs. This involves choosing sensible portions of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats.
Physical Activity
We don’t need to compete at high levels in sports or run marathons. But we should introduce regular exercise into our daily routines. Consider gardening, easy hiking, apple picking, walking around a museum, swimming, or learning yoga or tai chi. Not only are these activities good for your mind, they help to improve strength, balance, flexibility and posture – and reduce stress.
Mental Health
When we’re younger, most of us are busy raising families or working jobs. But when we retire, or slow down, sometimes we don’t feel as stimulated as we used to. That’s why it’s important to keep our minds active. Consider taking classes at a community college, try painting or writing or gardening. Now that you have more time to yourself, try learning something new, volunteering or joining travel clubs. There are so many interesting things to keep your mind active and fresh.
Emotional well-being
Now is the time to focus on you. Because your emotional health influences your physical, mental and social health. When you manage stress and stay emotionally balanced, your body responds in kind. Your mind can stay sharper, you can develop stronger relationships, and you can feel more productive, confident, and content. Consider making more time for friends and family. Practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation and mindfulness. And get help if you need it. Feelings of sadness, stress or loneliness can become overwhelming, so it’s critically important to talk to your doctor or a counselor who can help.**
Get regular check ups
Even if you’re feeling fine, it’s important that you see your doctor once a year. Many health issues like high blood pressure, diabetes, or cancer can develop very slowly and without obvious symptoms at first. Getting a regular check-up can help catch these issues early, when they’re easier to treat and manage. Your doctor can also recommend vaccines, screenings, and lifestyle changes that can help prevent all kinds of illnesses.
Another reason to see your doctor regularly is to help manage any conditions you know you have. Our needs change as we age, and you may need to have medications and treatments adjusted over time. Plus, it’s important to talk to your doctor about mood, memory, and sleep – things you may not think about as medical conditions.
What are some common conditions that occur when we age?
Many of us attribute small aches and pains to “just getting older.” So, we don’t take them as seriously as perhaps we should. The thing is, sometimes these aches and pains may be caused by something more serious. And we can get help to manage them. Some of the conditions that can develop and we can treat as we age include:***
- Osteoarthritis. This is the “wear-and-tear” type of arthritis where cartilage (the cushioning between bones) breaks down, and can cause inflammation of the joints and weaker bones.
- Cataracts, glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration. You may think you don’t see as well as you used to because you’re aging, but sometimes that blurry vision and difficulty driving at night can be a symptom of an underlying eye condition.
- High blood pressure and high cholesterol. In rare cases, these two conditions may cause shortness of breath and dizziness, but most often there are no symptoms at all. These are two heart conditions that can cause stroke and heart attack, so they’re very important to address.
- Diabetes. You might notice that you’re a bit more thirsty than usual. Maybe you’re more tired than you used to be, or you’re getting up more often to urinate at night. Well, many people don’t have any symptoms at all, but these are some symptoms of developing diabetes which is a serious condition.
The Bottom Line
The bottom line is that we should all feel proud when we age. We’ve developed wisdom and life-long experiences that have made us what we are today. But it’s important that we take time to nurture ourselves, and embrace the steps we need to take to enjoy this wonderful part of our lives.
For more information on aging and how you can make the most of this time in your life, contact us at Premier Medical Group. We have expert physicians and programs that are designed specifically to help. Contact us today at 888-632-6099 or visit us online.
*https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-aging/about/index.html
**https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/older-adults-and-mental-health
***https://www.ncoa.org/article/the-top-10-most-common-chronic-conditions-in-older-adults/