September is Healthy Aging Month, the perfect opportunity to get back on track with healthy habits and better lifestyle choices. Even though there are a few months left in the year, it’s never too late to focus on your health and make new choices to improve your well-being.
Healthy Aging Month is an annual health observance designed to promote the positive aspects of aging and encourage better physical, mental, social and emotional well-being in older adults. This September, take some time to make some meaningful, positive changes in your life. Here are three healthy aging tips to get you started.
As we get older, living healthier becomes more and more important. Every choice you make now can either improve your overall well-being, or it could lead to negative effects down the road. You can live a longer, healthier and happier life by making lifestyle changes and creating good habits. Try these three tips to celebrate Healthy Aging month:
There are so many benefits for seniors who eat healthy meals. Proper nutrition can reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, Type 2 Diabetes and osteoporosis. A healthy diet can also lower cholesterol and help reduce high blood pressure. Some foods have even been shown to support brain health and improve memory. For more tips on eating healthy, check out our post, “How to Improve Senior Nutrition Habits.”
Did you know that even just 30 minutes of aerobic exercise three to four times a week can make a huge difference in your overall physical health? You can burn calories, increase your flexibility and improve your balance by exercising regularly. Try walking with a friend, dancing for fun, or even a short swim to get your blood flowing and your body moving.
The importance of a good night’s sleep cannot be overstated. Getting a good night’s rest does more than just provide you with energy throughout the day. Studies have shown that improving your sleeping habits may help reduce cognitive decline and memory loss that can lead to dementia. You’ll find you feel better emotionally, too, as a lack of sleep and depression tend to go hand in hand. Try to get between seven-to-nine hours of sleep every night for optimal health.
As you can see, you don’t have to overhaul your lifestyle at once. Making small changes every day can move you closer to your health goals. Once you start to see and feel progress, you can stay motivated to keep making choices that help you age in the healthiest way possible.
At Advent Christian Village in beautiful North Florida, residents enjoy access to a variety of health and wellness programs at The Copeland Community Center. Seniors of all lifestyles and fitness levels can enjoy the heated swimming pool and spa, tennis courts, strength-building equipment and more. Plus, a professionally-trained staff is available to personalize a fitness program that meets individual goals and needs. Contact us today for more information.