Tips to Stay Healthy & Fit As You Get Older

We all want to age well, and since there are some diseases that are common as we age, prevention is vital. Genetics does play a role in longevity but there are other things that factor in.

Read over these 10 essential ways to stay healthy and fit as you get older.

1. Take care of your skin. Your skin is your largest organ. If you treat it well, it will protect your body and regulate your body temperature. Wear good sunscreen and sunblock; add a hat whenever possible.
   
   
2.  Exercise. Implementing exercise every day lowers your risk of disease. Try walking, dancing or swimming! Staying active is important for your overall well-being.
   
   
3.  Eat well. Healthy foods help us to age gracefully. Avoid solid, fast, processed foods and refined sugars. Instead, fill up on fruits, vegetables, and lean protein.
   
   
4.  Relax. Stress takes a toll on our body, and, over time, can cause an increase in wrinkles and even heighten your risk of heart disease.
   
   
5. Decrease alcohol consumption. Limit your intake amount to one glass per day for women and two per day for men to avoid premature aging.
   
   
6. Stay hydrated. With aging comes a decrease in thirst and often frequent urination leaving your body dehydrated. Dehydration is a common cause of hospitalization among the elderly. Choose to sip on water or caffeine-free beverages throughout the day.
   
   
7. Get some sleep. As we age, insomnia becomes more common. Set the lights on dim in the evening and make sure the bedroom is cool and quiet.
   
   
8. Strengthen your muscles. Exercise bands or hand weights are great tools to start with. There are also plenty of household items that can be used as weights. Try bottles of water, cans of food, and even laundry detergent bottles that have handles. Breathe out as you lift the weight, and breathe in as you lower it.
   
   
9. Spend time increasing balance. Practice standing on one foot (if you need to hold on to a chair until your balance improves, feel free to do so). Stand up from a sitting position.
   
   
10. Train your brain. Your brain thrives when it is trying to figure something out and challenged with something new. Your brain can continue to grow and change throughout your entire life. As much as we love routine, try switching it up to keep your brain engaged.

“In the end, it’s not the years in your life that counts. It’s the life in your years.”

– Abraham Lincoln

Make time to be with family and friends, which helps you manage emotions, stress, and helps you maintain good habits. According to the National Institute on Aging (NIA) social well-being is tied to lower levels of interleukin-6, an inflammatory factor involved in chronic diseases like Alzheimer’s, heart disease, osteoporosis, arthritis, and some cancers.

If there are things you have always wanted to try, make a list and start working your way down the list. This article lists 50 things to do when you are over 50.

As you can see, there are a number of ways to look, feel, and stay young! Feel your best from the inside out. There is a saying, “If you don't look your best, you won't feel your best.” Every day, get dressed in the morning; even if you don't have plans to go anywhere that day, it can really make all the difference in how you feel.

Always check with your doctor before starting any new exercise routine. Your physician might have input on the types and amounts of physical activity that are right for you.

Don’t just go to the doctor when you are feeling ill. Keep your annual check-ups and always review your bloodwork with your physician. Geriatric physicians are doctors who specialize in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease and disability in older adults.

With Impact Health Sharing you can see any provider since you aren’t tied to a network. So, search for one in your area and check out their reviews before making an appointment.

For more information about Impact, or to read over the guidelines, visit our website here.