Top 5 Autumn Habits and Hobbies to Extend Senior Health Spans
It would be best to start making vital lifestyle changes to improve your health. Improved living conditions, better lifestyle choices, and useful habits are some factors that can play a vital role in increasing senior health spans. Consistency of these factors is critical and can delay or stop the onset of age-related conditions, such as heart disease, Alzheimer's, Dementia, and Parkinson's disease. Are you ready to change your lifestyle and habits for the better, and you're wondering where to start? Try the following tips this autumn, which improve overall health and well-being.
Cut Out Smoking
Smoking increases the risk of dying early from cancer, stroke, and heart disease. Family caregivers can help seniors in their care who smoke quit smoking habits for better health. The benefits of quitting smoking include an improved immune system and reduced risk of coronary heart disease, among other health benefits. Remember, it's never too late to cut out a smoking habit.
Garden During Free Time
Gardening can be a significantly beneficial hobby for seniors. It can help seniors to maintain a healthy, active lifestyle as they age. Gardening stimulates the senses and reconnects you with nature, which provides a sense of satisfaction. Apart from offering an opportunity to exercise the body and cut down calories, gardening improves mental health.
Exercise During Free Times to Improve Physical and Mental Health
Persons over the age of 65 require regular physical activity to stay feeling young as they age. As individuals grow older, an active lifestyle becomes more important than before. Caregivers can help seniors to become more active by assisting them in finding enjoyable ways to keep their bodies in shape. For example, a 30- minute walking or cycling exercise every day can help to boost their energy and manage symptoms of illness. Those who haven't exercised for a while can start their exercise schedule slowly and build it up steadily over time. Caregivers and seniors should be aware of various aspects of fitness. They include:
- Cardiovascular Fitness: These exercises help to alleviate fatigue and shortness of breath. Cardio exercises include climbing, cycling, hiking, swimming, and dancing.
- Balance Training: This training is vital for seniors as it helps maintain standing and stability. Such training thus prevents unnecessary slips and falls. Examples include yoga and tai chi.
- Muscle Strength Fitness: This training helps to build muscle and power.
- Flexibility Training: Flexibility workouts such as yoga are meant to strengthen the body's joints.
Volunteer in Activities to Boost Social and Mental Well-being
Social participation through volunteering can be a rewarding hobby for the elderly. If your senior loved one does not have Dementia or related conditions, they can spend their free time giving back to their community through fundraisers, local charities, etc. The great part about volunteering is that you don't need to spend much of your time or money to impact people's lives. It only requires showing up and talking to people to show your support in difficult times. Seniors who volunteer have a better chance to be social and active, improving their physical and mental well-being. Studies have shown that volunteering positively impacts life satisfaction and well-being.
Eat a Balanced Diet to Boost Energy Level and Immunity
Eating a balanced diet is the best way to improve energy and maintain a strong immune system in old age. Seniors should eat more vegetables, fruits, and low-fat cereals but less refined sugars, salt, and cholesterol. They should also limit their consumption of red, processed meat, pastries, pies, and other takeaway ready-meals. Moreover, calcium-rich foods such as dairy products like cheese, fish with soft edible bones like salmon, and calcium-fortified foods like soy products are vital for bone health.
Healthspan is more critical than lifespan. The above tips can add great value to senior lifespans by improving their healthspans.
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