how to stay happy and healthy as you age
as we age, it’s important to maintain a healthy lifestyle to continue enjoying an active, fulfilled life. you can do this by focusing on habits such as regular exercise, proper nutrition, and staying socially active.
stay socially active with friends and family
remaining socially connected as you get older is extremely important in order to maintain your physical and mental health. people who are engaged in more social interaction are typically healthier individuals. social interaction brings positive feelings and decrease stress. seniors who are more socially active also have lower rates of alzheimer’s.
one way to stay active socially is to try to participate in group activities. getting out of the house to have a healthy meal, or taking a walk with a friend, are fantastic ways to maintain connections and friendships. small group exercise classes will help you stick to an exercise program and create a sense of camaraderie.
stay physically active with regular exercise
a sedentary lifestyle can lead to weight gain. there are a number of new studies that say too much sitting can be bad for our health and our waistline. the center for disease control and prevention states on their website that “physical activity can help you maintain a healthy weight and lower your blood pressure.”
exercising as we age is crucial in order to decrease our risk of heart disease. exercise decreases the risk of developing high cholesterol and high blood pressure. it can also help decrease fatigue and shortness of breath and enable you to maintain all the activities that you enjoy in your daily life. not only does exercise help decrease the risk of heart disease, it also improves quality of life. age related heart changes may occur such as arrhythmias, lipid profile changes, and insulin sensitivity, but these can be prevented by staying active. lastly, exercise helps to reduce stress, which is correlated to an increased risk of heart issues.
