Most people have a gradual decline as they age, but it doesn’t mean you can’t fight it. There are a few things you can do to control how you age to make sure you make the most of your later years. Here are a few ways you can control how you age.
Exercise: Add a daily exercise regime to your day. Take a walk, go to the gym, take senior exercise classes and stick with it. Exercising will make you feel better, help you control your weight, improve your mental alertness, and get you engaged with other people.
Portion Control: Eat smart. Don’t over eat. Being overweight can lead to obesity which can lead to diabetes. The heavier you become, the more likely you will increase a sedentary lifestyle which will lead to a shorter lifespan.
Immunizations: Avoid getting sick by keeping up to date with your immunizations. See your doctor annually (or as necessary) and know what is going on inside of you. Understand your potential risk factors and have them assessed before you have problems.
Challenge your Brain: Read the newspaper or books. Build a puzzle, complete a Sudoku puzzle or play a game. Keeping your mind engaged could ward off the brain changes that lead to Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.
There is no reason you cannot look and act decades younger than your age by just make a few simple changes to your life today. If you have any questions about what you can do to age gracefully, ask our Nurse Gina.