Nothing can stop time or its effects, aging is part of life and we must not complain or be afraid, in fact, now that life expectancy is on the rise and we have the opportunity to live many years, it is important to act to have a healthy aging.
We must do our best to make the most of everything that awaits us, the good thing is that, although we cannot stop the effects of the passage of time, we have tools to affect us as little as possible.
- Many older people lead an active and healthy life; However.
- There is no way to prevent our body and mind from changing with age; However.
- There are things we can do to stay healthy and active over time.
- Here are some tips for doing it.
“A man is never too old to start a new life, and we must not think that what was prevents him from being who he is or what he will be. ” – Miguel de Unamuno-
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines healthy aging as “the process of developing and maintaining the functional capacity that enables the well-being of the elderly”. The functional competence is to have the necessary skills that allow:
As we see, this functional capacity is composed of the intrinsic skills of the individual, the relevant environmental characteristics and the interaction between them.
It is not just about living longer, it is about living in the best possible way, the biggest challenge we face is not adding years to our life, but making those years important, in this way we allow ourselves to live fully active, independent and happy.
Research has shown that there are specific strategies related to food, sleep, exercise, relationships and preventive care that can improve our quality of life, factors that can help us prevent and prevent chronic diseases such as arthritis, asthma, diabetes, heart disease, discharge. blood pressure and chronic respiratory conditions. Then we’ll see the most important ones.
The body undergoes significant changes with age. In this way, the diet provides the body with the energy and nutrients it needs, so choosing the right foods helps improve health at every stage of life, it is recommended to drink plenty of fluids to stay well hydrated and eat healthy foods in an adequate amount, avoiding trans sugars and fats, refined foods and additives.
Healthy meals should include
Sleeping all night is a challenge for many older people. We tend to fall asleep more superficially and wake up more at night, resulting in chronic sleep deprivation.
Lack of sleep can have profound negative effects on physical and mental well-being and is a major enemy of healthy aging.
Many studies have found a conclusive link between lack of sleep and poor memory, more illnesses and a shorter life expectancy. Some of the most serious consequences of lack of sleep are obesity, diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure, mood disorders and immune system disorders. among others.
While it may seem difficult to get a good night’s sleep, we can do a lot to increase our chances.
It is no secret to anyone that daily exercise, combined with proper nutrition, is very healthy for the body. The practice of physical exercise helps older people stay active, self-sufficient and mobile for longer, while preventing the development of certain diseases.
Older people with good physical condition demonstrate better decision-making skills, more critical thinking and better planning skills, as well as being able to better control cognitive decline, memory loss and dementia, so exercise is critical to healthy aging.
To reap these benefits, you don’t have to become an Olympian. Get at least 150 minutes of walking or other aerobic exercise per week, 2-3 strength exercises per week, and daily stretching and balancing exercises are sufficient.
A stitch on time saves nine. Therefore, it is important to do periodic checks to check that everything is in order, especially if we notice something out of the ordinary, even if it is a little more tired than usual.
“In medicine, the most remarkable achievements tend to come more from prevention than from treatment, and I dare say that inoculation and vaccination have saved many more lives than healing. “Martin Seligman.
Staying socially active helps older people in many ways. According to the National Institute on Aging, research indicates that:
Therefore, creating and maintaining positive relationships with family, friends and colleagues is vitally important: volunteering in different organizations, attending a gym (better if they are group classes), playing cards, having coffee with friends, and hosting dinners with family or acquaintances. are some of the ways to maintain an active social life.
It’s also important to maintain an active sex life, sex not only helps you sleep better, as orgasms increase oxytocin levels and decrease cortisol, reducing stress and anxiety, but also allowing us to look and look younger.
As we can see, the application of these tips is essential to achieve the well-being of the elderly, so it is never too early to start taking care of yourself, the good news is that you do not have to do everything at the same time, introduce new habits each month can be a good start. By realizing this, your health and energy will have greatly improved.