Healthy Living for Seniors: Tips for Feeling and Looking Great

Last Updated on March 22, 2024

Healthy living can mean all sorts of things, but for seniors, it can be tricky to find the right combination of diet, exercise routine, and lifestyle factors to keep up energy and remain healthy and safe. There may be mobility issues at play, or you may have a busy schedule that prevents you from doing all the things you’d like to do. The good news is that there are many ways you can maintain a healthy lifestyle regardless of your abilities or schedule.

One of the best ways to ensure good health is to know your limits. If you push yourself too hard or don’t understand ways to make your home a safe place as you get older, it will be much more difficult to keep your mind and body healthy. Staying in touch with your doctor and setting limits for yourself are two great ways to ensure you’re able to keep yourself in good shape.

Below are a few tips on how to get started with a healthy lifestyle change.

Know When You Need Help

If you need help caring for yourself on a daily basis, it might be time to consider assisted living. There are several different kinds, from facilities that allow quite a bit of autonomy to those that take care of everything — down to ensuring you get the medicine you need. Do some research to figure out what kind of facility might be right for your specific needs, and think about any questions you may have for the staff, such as what the rules are concerning keeping your own car. You can work with companies such as A Place for Mom, which partners with around 120 different facilities in Portland, to find the best living situation for your needs.

Open Yourself to New Things

When traditional medicine fails to work, it’s possible to find other treatments that will do the trick. The key is to be open to trying new things, such as acupuncture, which is an ancient Chinese technique that benefits many areas of the body. Using tiny needles to stimulate pressure points, an acupuncturist can help with pain relief, nerve stimulation, and even managing stress or anxiety. A professional clinic like Inner Gate Acupuncture can help you find relief from any number of issues, including recovery from an injury.

Find the Right Workout Routine

A good workout routine can help keep you energized and even fight back against the symptoms of depression or anxiety, so the benefits are numerous. That said, it’s important to find exercises that are both safe and fun so you’ll be more likely to stick with the routine and maintain it. Consider yoga or swimming, or playing a sport like golf or tennis, all of which will help you stay fit and can be done outside for even greater mental health benefits.

Focus on a Well-Rounded Diet

A well-rounded diet is one that contains all the nutrients you need while giving you energy and helping to strengthen your bones and muscles. However, if you are living with diabetes or have other health issues, it’s best to talk to your doctor before making big changes to your diet. In general, it’s good to stick with whole grains, berries, lean meats, and dark, leafy greens when putting together your meals. Whenever possible, stay away from refined sugars and food items with a lot of sodium, as these can trigger issues with blood sugar or blood pressure.

Staying healthy and fit means something different to everyone, so remember that what works for a friend may not work for you — but that’s okay! Look for ways to work in exercise and a balanced diet that fit your specific needs, and remember to keep communication open with your doctor so you can stay on top of your overall well-being.