The population of older adults is set to increase by nearly 80 percent in the coming decades, and more people than ever are facing the issue of how to age in a healthy and happy way. It can feel a little daunting. Here are a few simple things you can do everyday to help increase the quality of your health and life.
1. Use technology to eat well
If you’re homebound, eating healthy is easier than ever. There are a variety of apps and online subscription services that can give you the nutrition you need. Research shows that smartphone apps can be used to improve healthy eating and change behavior by motivating and informing people about better health changes. Smartphone apps can also give you different food choices, as well as offer you the option to use a meal delivery service or get your groceries delivered.
2. Find group exercise activities
Experts say that physical exercise in older adults can act as a strong supplement to medical treatments and can positively improve cognitive function, aerobic health and metabolic function. Socializing is also good for you, so why not knock out two tasks for the price of one? Sign up for group yoga or aerobic classes at your local fitness center. You can also invite friends to join you on walks, or look online for local meetups that engage in hobbies you’re interested in.
3. Study something new
According to BBC, new information about learning offers a reminder that it’s never too late to learn something new. Throwing yourself into a new skill or subject can help your memory and prevent cognitive decline. If you’re interested in learning a new language, why not try now? You can find courses online, but you can also find people through different services who are more than happy to teach you a new language and help you speak it. It’s the same for all types of new skills: all you have to do is dig a little deeper.
4. Puzzle it over
Puzzles have been shown to be effective at helping prevent the onset of some age-related cognitive decline illnesses like dementia by deeply stimulating the mind. There are a variety of puzzles and brain-teasers you can try. You can go for puzzles that create a picture, or even do three-dimensional puzzles, which can imitate real-life buildings. Crossword puzzles are always popular, as are numbers puzzles such as Sudoku. Puzzles are a great way to relax and get your mind to focus on something fascinating.
5. Improve cognition through socializing
Regular social interaction has been shown to be an important way for us to engage our brains and boost intellectual performance. As mentioned before, you can find friends through group exercise classes, but you can also look into community activities as well. Reach out to friends and loved ones, but find ways to meet new people of all ages, too. The Internet has a lot of great ways for you to meet new people both online and in real life.
6. Prioritize walking
If you have a dog, research has shown that taking your dog outside for a walk is an excellent way to stay physically healthy. Even if you don’t have a dog, exploring your neighborhood and local parks can be healthy and enjoyable. Find any excuse to go for a short walk. Just doing it often will build up a healthy habit that can help improve the quality of your life. Walking can help you think more creatively and solve problems that may arise.
Through walking, group socializing, healthy eating and exercise, you can improve your overall health. Puzzles and learning are other great ways to stimulate your brain. Keep aiming for a healthy balance of physical and mental activities.
POST by Karen Weeks
Reposted with permission
Photo credit: Pexels
