5 Healthy Habits for Seniors

It is never too late to adopt healthy habits and they make an enormous difference to your life. Even if you haven’t always been the cleanest living person, retirement can be a wonderful time to make changes and live a healthier lifestyle. Here are five healthy habits for seniors. 

Eat Healthily

As you get older you may find that your appetite changes. However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t eat healthily. Make sure you eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables per day and vary these to give you the best vitamin intake possible and to make sure that you don’t get bored of eating the same things. Fiber becomes more important as you get older because your digestive system naturally slows down. Fiber can help to prevent major health problems such as heart disease and strokes. 

Sleep Regularly

Just because you haven’t got to go to work, try to avoid the habit of napping during the day and then staying up late or having a lie-in every morning just because you can. These changes won’t do your body clock any good and could lead to you feeling unhealthy and sluggish during the day. Insomnia becomes more common as you get older, but you can alleviate sleep problems by keeping regular hours and making sure that you have good sleep hygiene. 

Socialize

It is important to stay connected with friends and family as you get older as it prevents mental health issues such as depression from setting in. Many seniors like to make new friends by joining in with organized social activities or relocating to a retirement community where they can meet similar people. There are lots to choose from; for example, an online search for senior living in Rockford IL will find you senior living facilities in that area. There are facilities to choose from all over the country, and finding a great set of friends can make an enormous difference to your mental health and enjoyment of life. 

Exercise

Getting older isn’t an excuse to forget about exercising. You might not be as fit or as mobile as you used to be but changing the exercise you do rather than quitting altogether will keep you healthier for longer. Walking is a fantastic exercise as it gets you outdoors, boosts your vitamin D as well as being a great cardiovascular workout. Other great exercises for seniors include yoga, walking soccer, and golf. 

Get Regular Check-Ups

Many illnesses can be prevented or caught early enough to get rid of if you get regular check-ups. Consult your doctor to see what tests they would recommend having regularly, often cholesterol and diabetes checks are recommended for seniors. Your doctor can also advise whether it is a good idea to take medication or supplements to relieve any existing conditions. Keep up to date with vaccinations such as flu and pneumonia as the effects can be more severe in older people. 

These tips will help you to stay healthy for longer and ensure that you get the best from your senior years.