How To Take Good Care Of Yourself As You Grow Older

Getting older is a fact of life. As much as we’d love to stay young forever, we have to grow up eventually.

While this obviously comes with its share of benefits, there are sometimes downsides to ageing too. A lot of people struggle to take good care of themselves when they’re older because their bodies don’t work the way they used to. No matter what condition you’re in, though, there are always things you can do to keep your health trending upward.

If you want to make the most of your senior years, check out these tips. Following a few of them ought to make a big difference to your quality of life.

Keep Active

There’s a reason that a lot of athletes retire while they’re still in the prime of their lives. Our bodies aren’t made to perform strenuous activity forever. However, while running marathons or diving from 10-metre platforms might eventually be out of the question, that doesn’t mean you have to stop exercising. There are so many things you can still do to stay active, including walking, water aerobics, gardening, and yoga. Some of these workouts might be harder than others, but just take everything at your own pace and remember to have fun. The most important thing is that you regularly do something to keep your body moving because physical activity is essential for healthy ageing. Get enough exercise every week and you’re sure to feel stronger, happier, and healthier.

Visit Your Doctor

As a person gets older, concerns for their health typically increase. Their bodies aren’t as strong as they used to be, and they’re more susceptible to illness. With that in mind, it’s a good idea to visit a doctor fairly regularly during your senior years. Getting routine tests done for things like cholesterol and blood pressure will let them know how your body’s coping, and whether there’s any action they need to take. It’s better than staying at home and letting things get worse without even realizing there’s anything wrong in the first place. What’s more, over 65s are eligible for free seasonal jabs, so it’s definitely worth visiting a doctor for that every year, too.

Look After Your Hearing

Hearing loss isn’t uncommon amongst older people, which is why it’s important to get tested regularly. Doing so can highlight any potential issues and help you find solutions to them, such as getting a hearing aid. These can make all the difference to your quality of life, and you’ll easily find one to fit your needs at sites such as Audilo. They specialise in products for the older generation, all of which are designed to aid those with hearing impairments. That includes things like headphones, alarm clocks, and doorbells, as well as senior phones. These are specially designed landlines and more basic mobile phones which make keeping in touch with loved ones so much easier. If products like these can help improve your day-to-day life, it’s worth it.

Test Your Eyes

Just as it’s important to care for your hearing when you’re older, it’s also essential that you look after your eyesight too. Much like hearing, this can worsen with age, sometimes without you realising it. It’s advised that you get an eye test every two years, although, for those over 70, it’s worth increasing this to once a year. That way, you can monitor what’s happening with your eyes and, in some cases, correct the problems you might be experiencing. Given that over 60s receive eye tests for free, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t get a regular checkup.

Go Out In The Sunshine

Do you know how many people in the UK have a vitamin D deficiency? 1 in 5. 20% of Brits have low vitamin D levels, which is concerning given this can allegedly cause cognitive impairment and muscular problems, among other things. Many seniors are at risk of this deficiency because they typically spend a lot of time indoors. Naturally, a good way to combat that is to try and spend some time in the sunshine. As little as 20 minutes a day can make a big difference, especially when paired with foods rich in vitamin D. You’ll find it in stuff like eggs and oily fish, or in supplements if these foods aren’t to your liking.

Have A Sleep Routine

There’s no time in a person’s life when sleep isn’t a good thing. It’s what lets our bodies recharge after a long day and keeps us going from one day to the next. However, sleeping isn’t always the easiest thing to do, especially for those in their senior years. Some older people experience insomnia, which can be very distressing and can also offset their health. Having a regular sleep routine could combat this, as could drinking something like chamomile tea before bed. Cutting out naps is also a good idea, no matter how nice they might be. If these suggestions don’t help, you’d best speak to your doctor and try to find a solution that way.

A Balanced Diet

You may hit your senior years and think to yourself, “I deserve to let loose”. Well, you’re right. Life is for living, and you may as well enjoy it. However, it’s important not to go too overboard with this mindset, especially when it comes to your diet. While you’re absolutely allowed to indulge in your favourite things, you should still try to eat well and drink plenty of water. Fruit, vegetables, and foods low in saturated fat are usually good to include, as well as whole grains and lean meat. You might think a good diet doesn’t matter so much if you’re not bothered about your figure, but you still have your health to think about. Eating well will give you more energy and potentially ward off illnesses, which definitely isn’t a bad thing as you grow older.

Talk To People

When it comes to taking good care of yourself, it’s not just your physical health that you have to look out for. Your mental wellbeing matters too, and depending on your situation, it can really suffer during your senior years. Depression affects older people, along with many other mental issues, so it’s important to try and combat this wherever possible. If you live alone, we suggest reaching out to those around you as much as possible. That might mean weekly calls with loved ones or visiting friends if you’re able-bodied enough to do so. Your happiness matters, no matter your age, and there’s no reason why this should suffer once you’re older. Don’t ever feel like you’re a burden for wanting company.

Find (Or Continue) A Hobby

A great way to tend to your mental wellbeing and keep your spirits high is to engage in a hobby. What hobby you do depends on your interests and your level of mobility, but there are so many activities for seniors available. It could be something physical like gardening, something logical like chess, or something relaxing like reading. Doing these things might not seem that important, but they all contribute to a better mindset and an elevated mood. Depending on the hobby, they can also be good for socialising, brain training, or keeping fit, all of which are beneficial to your overall health.

Our health is something that we always have to be aware of, no matter our age. We can’t stop what happens to our bodies over time, but we can find ways to keep ourselves in as good a shape as possible. Hopefully, these tips will help you achieve that, although if you’re struggling with anything, please consult a doctor.