As you age, it’s important to be more proactive about taking care of yourself. Things your body would tolerate in your 20s and 30s can cause serious issues in your 50s, 60s or 70s. If you look after yourself, though, you can enjoy good health as you get older. Here are four simple ways to take better care of yourself as you age.
Go for a Long Walk Every Day
Staying active is one of the most important parts of aging healthfully. Going for a long walk every day is a great habit to get into, as it will give you plenty of exercise without any kind of high-impact cardio workouts involved. A habit of daily walking will keep your heart healthy and help you maintain a healthier weight.
Set Your Home up for Your Later Years
If you plan to stay in your home as you get older, it’s a good idea to start making the changes that will be necessary now. Grip bars in the shower, better railings on staircases and other such features will make it easier for you to stay in your home longer. If you’d prefer to live in a facility that already has all of these features installed, you may want to consider a senior living center in your area.
Don’t Skip the Weighted Workouts
Although many seniors avoid working out with weights, forcing your muscles to work hard is actually a great way to stay in shape as you get older. You obviously don’t want to overdo it, but weight training will keep your muscles in good shape and keep your strength loss to a minimum as you get older. Weightlifting has also been linked to greater longevity, meaning it can help you stay healthier and live longer.
Get Away from Excessive Sugar Intake
Many of today’s foods are almost saturated with added sugars. Eating overly sugary foods isn’t good for you at any age, but it becomes especially problematic for older adults. Try to cut out excess sugar and refocus your diet on healthy meats, vegetables, fish and whole grains. These foods will better meet your nutritional needs as you age and help you to enjoy good health for as long as possible.
By following these four basic steps, you can keep yourself in good health as you get older. While you’ll have to put in more work to be healthy as you age, you’ll find that the effort pays off.
