Maintaining Optimum Health Into Old Age

As we get older, the little things that we once took for granted are often no longer there. The little things like being able to sprint for a bus or the ability to drink reasonable quantities of alcohol at night and feel ok the next day.

These are natural signs of getting older and it is at times like this that we sometimes reflect and wish that we had lived our lives differently; perhaps eating healthier and taking more exercise. Try as we might though, we can’t go back in time and all that we can do is to start from this moment on to ensure that we have the best health possible. Of course, sometimes illnesses will happen but we can reduce the chances of that or at least speed up the recovery process by keeping ourselves in good shape and here are a few tips to help you to do this.

Exercise

It is never too late to exercise. Of course, this does not mean training to run a marathon and our exercise regime should be based on our current level of fitness. If, for example, you have spent the last few years as a couch potato, then it would be very unwise to start a strenuous regime. A much better approach would be to initially increase the distances that you walk. Instead of getting in your car to make short journeys, allow a little extra time and walk; equally, getting off a bus a few stops early is a good way to start the process as is using the stairs instead of escalators.

This routine can be increased as you feel a little fitter. Do remember though that you are aiming to be healthier and not to win races so increase cautiously and if you have any doubts at all about what to do, it may be a good idea to ask your doctor who may be able to suggest appropriate levels of exercise for you.

Diet

A little of what you like will do you good is a saying that we often hear and there is no doubt that although some people would love to have us eating a diet of blueberries and quinoa, that is not a realistic (or enjoyable) goal for most people. We can all though, improve our diet by reducing the saturated fats that are in meats and dairy and which are the cause of high cholesterol and also increase our fruit and vegetable intake.

Reducing the level of salt and alcohol too are all positive steps that we can take and this can be done gradually over a period of time and are perhaps best thought of as an adaptation of a change of lifestyle rather than a ‘throw it all out and start again’ approach which can tend to be the case with new diets. This approach though rarely works and usually ends up with the person becoming bored or disillusioned and abandoning their new eating approach. MagicKitchen.com can help with that, with delicious meals for seniors!

Dental Care

We should not neglect our dental health either, As well as any aesthetic considerations, gum disease and other dental problems can make our lives a misery and however fit we are and well we eat, we are less likely to enjoy our lives if we are suffering from bad breath or dental decay. Some reports have also linked gum disease with potential heart problems although research is at an early stage and has not been proven.

In summary then, just look at your daily routine and see where you can improve things Take small steps at first that are manageable and at the end of each week or so, sit down with a piece of paper and note your new routine and where that can be changed; a little planning can certainly go a long way.

Alan Fielding, the author of this article, hit 50 last year and took a look at his unhealthy lifestyle. Deciding to put a stop to the slow decline to his health that he had noticed, he turned off his TV and joined a local tennis club. As well as this he chose to go vegetarian two days a week and also got his problematic gums fixed at his local dentist and hasn’t felt better in years.