The average life expectancy for a person in today’s modern age is 78.7 years. This was an unheard of number even a few decades ago, and this number is expected to increase by another few years in only a few more short decades. Since we’re living longer, we’re dealing with aging in ways we never have before. Read up on these tips dealing with aging.
Eat your veggies! We all were told it as kids and it matters just as much as we age. Antioxidants that are found naturally in vegetables actually will help keep your cells from aging too rapidly. They protect us from the aging that is done to our cells by oxidative damage.
Do not leave the house without sunscreen to avoid looking older faster. The UV radiation from the sun can severely damage your skin and it is a major contributor to how your face looks. Also know that too much sun exposure can lead to certain cancers so wear sunscreen every day.
Watch your caloric intake in order to slow down your aging. Overeating and obesity are linked with more health problems than can be listed here. Talk with your doctor about how many calories you should be taking in at your age, weight and fitness level and then stick to it.
Go for regular preventive health check-ups with your local physician. As you get older, your body is more susceptible to disease and injury. By having regular check-ups, you could detect and treat small health problems before they turn into bigger problems. It is also recommended that you attend dental and eyes check-ups as well.
Stay fit well into your golden years. Try to incorporate some kind of physical exercise into your daily routine. Take a long walk each day, join a water aerobics class or take a nice bike ride. These things will keep the blood flowing and give you some pleasure each day.
If you want a tasty way to reduce the risk of osteoporosis, try adding soy to your diet. Soy contains calcium and plant estrogens which help prevent the loss of bone density. You can use soy flour in your favorite recipes, snack on soy nuts, or use soy milk and cheeses.
Start to exercise with weights. As you age, you start to lose your muscle density, so you have to make the most out of the muscle you have left. Get into a routine of weight-lifting a few times a week so that you can stay strong even as you go into your later years.
Eating lots of whole grains will help you look and feel younger. The key to whole grains is they must be intact and not the ones that are ground into flour which destroys the fiber in them. Whole grains are an excellent source of fiber, minerals, and vitamins and provide fuel for doing cardiovascular and strength training exercises.
As the day wears on, you will notice that your skin may become more dry and irritated. Therefore, it is important to keep your skin moisturized at all times. Moisturizing your skin can give you a smooth feel and can reduce the dry skin cells on your face which will help you look more vivacious.
Appoint someone to handle your affairs in case you become incapacitated. If something happens and you are unable to care for your own health, decide who will take charge of those decisions for you. Talk to them about what kinds of things you want done. You can’t know if you will need a health care proxy, but have one in place just in case. It’s hard to think about things like this, but it is sensible to plan for this kind of eventuality, whether young or old.
Having your blood pressure checked on a regular basis is a necessity to living longer and keeping healthy. Many people are unaware of their high blood pressure, yet it is a significant risk factor in stroke, heart disease, and kidney disease. If you are found to have high blood pressure take your medications that are prescribed; exercise, quit smoking, and maintain proper body weight to reduce your risks.
Cholesterol is a killer, so take the steps to lower your cholesterol. We absorb cholesterol not only from the foods we eat, but genes can pass high cholesterol also. For a longer life, go to your doctor and have your cholesterol checked and take any medications prescribed. Diet, exercise, and medications can all contribute to getting your cholesterol in check.
If you want to reduce the effects of aging, be sure that you get plenty of rest. Not only is it good for your overall body, it also helps to give you the energy boost that you need. Taking a one hour nap is also a good idea, too.
As you age, you will probably notice that memory is becoming less efficient. The human brain experiences a decrease in the number of brain cells as it ages. You can take several steps to diminish the effects of this age-related change. To keep your memory sharp, you should do activities such as crossword puzzles or playing cards with friends to exercise your brain. Staying mentally and socially active will help your mental processes.
Eat a well-balanced diet and you will satisfy your body’s nutritional requirements and enjoy good health as you age. Your diet should include fruits, vegetables, fiber and whole grain. Avoid foods high in fat and cholesterol and seek out ones rich in vitamins. Consider taking a supplements to make sure all of your nutritional needs are being met.
Avoid drinking alcohol in excess is sound advice for those at any age. For those older than 65 that means no more than 2 drinks for men or 1 drink for women. Alcohol can react adversely with many medications, and senior citizens are often taking at least one prescription medicine.
It might not be a picnic to grow old, but living a long life certainly beats any alternative you could throw out there. If you’re concerned at all about aging or just want to know a little bit more about the process, the tips in the article above should be able to help you out in numerous ways.
