Regardless of your age, it is vital to take care of your body and prevent illness. However, when you are sixty-five and older, something as simple as the common cold or the flu can progress and cause complications. It includes secondary infections like a sinus infection, an ear infection, bronchitis, and pneumonia. In case you have chronic conditions like diabetes or asthma, respiratory illnesses can make it worse.
Due to this season, it is essential to make healthy choices to strengthen your immune system and reduce the likelihood of illness. On that note, here’s offering seven tips to help you live a healthy lifestyle at an old age.
Embrace Healthy and Balanced Eating Habits
Healthy eating habits have never been more important now than they have ever been. The progression of age leads to a slowdown in the metabolism rate, along with changes in taste and smell that can impact your appetite. In case you have a difficult time buying food and cooking it, you can contact a family member or a healthcare provider. Many communities have special programs that offer healthy food to older individuals.
If you plan to prepare your food, make sure your diet is high in lean protein, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and fiber, and drink loads of water.
Know the Right Ways to Manage Stress
Chronic stress enhances the production of stress hormones called cortisol in your body. Excessive amounts of cortisol can end up disrupting different functions in the body, including your immune system.
For reducing stress, you need to increase physical activity, get a lot of sleep, set reasonable experiences for yourself, and explore enjoyable and relaxing activities. Also, you can consume CBD in different forms like oil, edibles for keeping stress at bay. You can go to Sunday Scaries CBD gummies to buy cheap products online and the best quality CBD products.
Remain As Active As You Can Even At This Age
Physical activity is among the most valuable ways to boost your immunity. You do not need to take part in anything strenuous, and simple low-impact exercises are good to go. Training offers several benefits such as:
- Prevention of dementia (memory loss)
- Releasing feel-good hormones called endorphins
- Aids in reducing chronic pain
- Increases muscle mass
- Improves metabolism
- Enhances your quality of sleep
- Improves balance and flexibility
You can exercise with a family member or friend if that keeps you motivated. You can opt for activities like Yoga and stretching.
Focus More on Timely Prevention than Cure
You need to keep up your preventive care visits, including health screening for heart problems, colon cancer, cholesterol levels, and more, to qualify for Medicare coverage. Seniors should also get a vaccination that might help in preventing pneumonia and influenza.
Also, going for annual vaccinations is a way to stay healthy throughout the year. In case your age is sixty-five years and more, consult your doctor about getting a high-dose or adjuvant flu vaccine. Flu season starts from October to May in the USA. It takes about two weeks for vaccines to turn effective, and it brings down the flu risk by forty to sixty percent when vaccine strains match up to the circulating strains.
Get Ample Amounts of Rest Every Day
Sleep not only reduces your stress levels but also dictates how your body repairs itself. For this purpose, getting a sufficient amount of sleep will lead to a robust immune system. It, in turn, will help the body fight off viruses. Also, sleep is crucial as you become older as it can improve concentration and memory.
You should aim for at least seven and a half to eight hours of sleep each night. If you have difficulty sleeping, you can talk to the doctor to know the underlying cause. The cause of insomnia might include inactivity during the day and excessive caffeine.
Stay Connected and Remain Positive
Many complex challenges come along when you get older, such as your health, independence, and losing your loved ones. Despite all the challenges, you need to stay strong and navigate through the difficulties. Keeping a few things in mind will help you in this regard.
Firstly, accept the aspects that have changed in your life no matter how difficult it seems. Letting go of things and accepting that situations are out of your control will reduce stress levels. Remind yourself of the things that you’re still grateful for, such as friends and family.
Wash the Hands Frequently With Water and Soap
Washing your hands after a regular interval is an excellent way to remain healthy year-round. Viruses can live on the surface for up to a day. It is possible to stay ill when you touch a virus-covered surface and contaminate your hands before touching your face.
You are washing your hands with warm soapy water often and for at least twenty seconds. You need to avoid touching your mouth, face, and nose with your hands. You can also keep yourself protected by using antibacterial hand sanitizer when you cannot wash the hands. Furthermore, disinfecting surfaces around your home and workstation frequently is essential.
Endnote
Several viruses and illnesses can get dangerous as you get older. You cannot prevent all diseases for sure, but taking care of your health by adopting a proactive approach can strengthen your immune system. This will not only help you stay healthy but also keep several common illnesses away.