Tips and Tricks for a Healthy Senior Lifestyle

Whether you’re thinking about a loved one or trying to kick start your retirement in a positive way, everyone can agree that looking after health in later life is important. A balanced diet, regular exercise, and looking after your general well-being are keys to a good quality of life in later years and can help reduce the risk of more serious medical problems.

Heart disease and cancer are the biggest killers in the over 65s, but the risk of both can be reduced by looking after your body. It certainly doesn’t need to be boring or difficult; in fact, it’s a great opportunity to try a whole host of new things.

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Eat Nutritious and Tasty Meals

It’s important to realize that as you get older, your daily requirements for calories and nutrients change. Make sure to eat lots of brightly colored fruits and vegetables, as these contain important vitamins; but cut back on fatty and sugary foods. By using smaller plates and bowls, this makes your meal look fuller and leaves you more satisfied with a smaller portion.

Find some recipes which look interesting and experiment - after all, your taste buds change as you age, so you may find a new appreciation for flavors you didn’t previously like.

Get Out and Get Active

Regular exercise is important for maintaining strength and mobility. It’s important to be realistic about your abilities and limitations. There are plenty of sports, covering a great range, from those who want to take up weightlifting in retirement, to others who need a gentler pace. Try some classes at your local fitness center designed for seniors: the trainers will be able to help you keep active in a safe and appropriate way, and they’re also an excellent social opportunity. Swimming is another great low-impact exercise, as it works your whole body while you are supported by the water, reducing the risk of injury. Set yourself some goals and get a training buddy to help keep up the motivation.

Stay Hydrated

Ensuring that you stay on top of your hydration is also important; drinking plenty of water is essential for almost every process in the body. Many common complaints such as headaches can be cured with a glass of water, but on a more serious note, seniors over 60 are more likely to be hospitalized for dehydration than younger adults. Mark up a water bottle with hours of the day to make sure you are consistently drinking enough, or use an app to track it. Try flavoring the water with lemon or mint to add a little tasty kick.

There are plenty of options to help you stay healthy and monitor your wellbeing, so try some out and see what works for you.