Aging occurs gradually over time. So too do some of the negative consequences that go hand in hand with the process. This, however, is a good thing. It allows time for us to make adjustments in our life that will better equip us for dealing with those changes. Take the time now and consider the following suggestions that will make your life easier.
As we age, it is important to keep up on regular eye exams. As we age, our eyes age too and are more susceptible to diseases such as cataracts and macular degeneration. These conditions impair vision and make walking and driving more difficult, which can in turn impose danger to ourselves and others.
Keep your body fit and functioning at its peak, even while growing older. Exercising is not just for weight loss, it is also incredibly important for keeping your body young and working at its optimum level. Cardio exercise is extremely important for your heart health, so keep your body moving to keep the years away.
Did you know that high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes are risk factors for dementia? These risks become more severe due to smoking, lack of exercise and high cholesterol. As we age, it becomes increasingly important to control these disorders in order to maintain good mental health as aging progresses.
To slow down the aging process, do some aerobic exercise everyday mixed with occasional light weight training. Numerous scientific studies have shown that exercise improves muscle strength, stamina, bone density and balance. As these four things deteriorate with age, regular exercise could help keep your body in good condition well into your 80s and beyond.
If you want to age gracefully, then you should try to do something you like every day. By doing this, you will get fulfillment out of each and every day because you are doing something that you look forward to, which keeps you motivated to continue and keeps the enjoyment flowing.
All women over 65 should be tested for bone density since this is the only way to diagnose osteoporosis. Some doctors recommend baseline bone density scans at menopause and at regular intervals after. Predicting fracture risk and determining rate of bone loss can help in the monitoring and prevention of osteoporosis.
When you age sometimes you feel you have earned the right to be an ornery individual and not treat people as well as you should. This could not be farther from the truth. In order for people to treat you with respect and dignity you must also show them the same respect and dignity.
As you start getting older, your metabolism slows down. So if you aren’t at a weight you are comfortable with now, it will be even harder to keep your weight under control as you age. Take up exercise and get moving regularly, preferably 3 to 4 days a week.
A tip for staying young, even when your body is aging, is to keep learning. Learn more about playing bridge, how to use a computer, gardening, woodworking, or whatever you wanted to learn earlier in life but didn’t have the time to do. Since you are retired and your children are grown, you no longer have the excuse of not having the time to delve into these new adventures of learning. Never let your brain remain idle!
Consider adding Co-enzyme Q 10 to your daily diet to assist with the aging process. A dosage of 100 mg daily should suffice. Co-enzyme Q 10 can aid circulation, protect your heart and helps improve your body at the cellular level. It is a powerful supplement to add to your diet.
Alzheimer’s disease is a common disease. Recognizing it early is the best defense in slowing the disease down. The likelihood of getting Alzheimer’s disease increases with risk factors as having a family history of the disease, Down’s Syndrome, serious head injury in the past or being over 65 years of age.
Keep your bones strong by increasing your calcium intake. Many older people break hips and knees every day. Make sure that your bones stay strong by having 2-3 servings every day of calcium. Calcium can be found in dairy products, broccoli and other vegetables. Protect your bones by feeding them.
Know the signs of depression. As you get older, you may experience changes that leave you feeling down. If your feelings of sadness don’t go away, it might be depression. Talk to a doctor if you have persistent feelings of hopelessness and especially if you think about suicide or death.
Water is essential to the aging body. Staying hydrated becomes more and more important as you get older. Trying to target eight glasses of water throughout the day is the best plan. This will keep your skin hydrated, help deliver nutrients throughout the body and flush harmful toxins from your system.
If you are on a diet, make sure that you do not starve yourself to reach the goal of looking younger. It is important that you indulge once in a while so that you can feel good about yourself and maintain a positive outlook. Eat a piece of a chocolate to reward yourself for a job well done.
If you are at the gym or working, listen to your favorite music. Music can make you feel better during the day so that you can maintain a positive mood in all activities that you do. A positive mood and outlook on life, will actually reduce the imperfections on your body and optimize your appearance.
Drinking green tea can significantly reduce skin damage because of the antioxidants that are in it. Green Tea prevents harmful skin damage from the sun by releasing these antioxidants into your body, which affect the skin. Green Tea is also very healthy for you in many other ways, so you should try it out and see if you have a taste for it.
By accepting the fact that we are aging and that certain changes will accompany the aging process, we can better prepare for those changes. The tips outlined above should help us on our way to doing just that. Whether we need to establish certain habits or make changes in our living situation, the time to do it is now.
