You cannot pick up a book or switch on the television these days without having a so-called expert preaching to you about the benefits of healthy living. Most of these experts have something to sell and so are easy to dismiss. However, all seniors should attempt to see through their gimmicks because a very important message lies at the heart of their sales pitch – we should all make the effort to be healthy in order to improve our quality of life.
Maintaining health is all about moderation. There is no point going overboard to try and get healthy when we get to a certain age. That just takes all of the enjoyment out of life. If you like something that is bad for you then simply cut down rather than remove it from you life altogether and be miserable. Having said that, there are certain key areas that require attention if an individual senior wants to stay healthy:
Tobacco: We have all seen the warnings on what smoking can do to us, but yet a high number of seniors still smoke. As seniors are more vulnerable to breathing difficulties, smokers should look into the possibilities of quitting. There are now clinics, medication and counselling sessions on offer in every state that are aimed at those looking to quit. If you don’t want to quit though, it would be advisable to cut down. Poor circulation, lung cancer and pneumonia are just some of the illnesses associated with smoking, so ask yourself how long you really want to be around for before lighting up next time.
Alcohol: There is nothing wrong with consuming alcohol, as long as you do so in moderation. Health guidelines state that men should not consume more than two units of alcohol a day, and women should limit themselves to one. A unit is the equivalent of a glass of wine or beer, or a shot of liquor. Some forms of alcohol, red wine for example, are considered healthier than others too. However, all alcohol can contribute to certain cancers and liver disease and thus should be consumed sensibly.
Exercise: Seniors should do at least an hour’s worth of exercise every week. It can be split into six lots of ten minutes, three lost of twenty minutes and so on… you get the picture. That hour of exercise can give the muscles and joints a work out to ensure that they remain supple and flexible, thus cutting the risk of arthritis and stiff joints. It can get the blood pumping, boost your immune system and thus keep any diseases or illnesses at bay to ensure that you enjoy your senior health rather than let it rule your life.
Nutrition: Diet is more important for vulnerable groups than it is for anyone else, and more so for seniors. Diabetes is common in seniors and, for the most part, has to be controlled by diet. Other ailments such as osteoporosis and arthritis can also be aided by a carefully controlled diet. Although none of these illnesses can be cured by a healthy diet, the condition that senior bodies are in can. Eating nutritious wholesome meals can give seniors the strength to fight against their effects.
Medical attention: Seniors should get regular health checks that include blood pressure and sight/hearing exams. Blood glucose should also be tested so any sign of diabetes can be caught early, and some doctors will even do a urine test as well to make sure that their patients are in good health. There is nothing more precious than your health and seniors should pay more attention to theirs than most! If you take care of your body, it will take care of you for that little bit longer!
Seniors are vulnerable to the effects of ill health and should make more of an effort to look after themselves than other age groups. Trying to stay healthy will probably prolong our lives and will certainly improve the quality of them, regardless of how long left each and every one of us has.