Healthy goals are key to longevity
You can’t stop time, but you can stay healthy by following some basic guidelines on eating, exercise, sleep, and taking your doctor’s advice on medical screenings, according to Doctors Michael Roizen and Mehmet Oz. Most people want fun, happy, healthy Golden Years. With the right effort you can achieve that.
Eating a well-balanced diet is an important part of staying healthy and paying attention to what you eat is a smart thing to do. Get up to nine servings of fresh fruit and vegetables daily. Reduce your eating of red or processed meats, and learn to control serving and portion size.
Drink plenty of liquids. This will help you get rid of waste, digest food, and absorb nutrients.
Americans spend $33 billion yearly on weightloss products, yet many complain that they usually gain most if not all of it back, if they have followed a fad diet.
Health experts say there are some things you can do if you want to lose weight and keep it off. Eating healthier and becoming more active are key.
One thing to try is to change how you arrange food in the refrigerator, storing ripe apples, oranges, plums, and pears in the front at eye level. Wash and cut up vegetables so they are ready to eat. Put healthy food out for snacking.
Exercise is necessary if you want to lead an active, healthy life. Walking, lifting weights, and water aerobics are possibilities. You could also do chair exercises. The great thing about them is that you can sit anywhere and do them. They are great for anybody, particularly those with mobility issues, balance problems, and people who are recovering from injuries or surgery.
Experts say tai chi is also good for seniors. It is an ancient martial art practiced for more than 2,000 years. Originally developed for self-defense, it has evolved into a gentle way of moving and stretching.
Research shows that doing tai chi can help with a variety of senior health concerns, including hand-eye coordination, knee and back pain, flexibility, and muscle strength. It can be done anywhere, without any special equipment.
In a New York Times article, Getting a Good Night’s Sleep Without Drugs, writer Jane Brody advised readers that millions of Americans rely on sleeping pills to get to sleep. She says changing your living and sleeping habits can help people get to sleep without them. Tweaks to diet and environment can promote quality rest.
Getting seven to eight hours of sleep a night is something to aim for, and to help, make sure your bedroom is cool, dark, and quiet.
It’s also wise to avoid heavy meals late at night. Good snack choices include warm milk, turkey, chicken, whole grain bread or crackers, cereal with milk and banana, and low-calorie popcorn. Drinking coffee at night is not advised because its stimulant effects can last for hours.
At your next visit, you might ask your doctor if any medication you are taking can affect sleep.
See your doctor regularly and follow advice given for recommended screenings, like mammograms, colonoscopies, blood glucose checks, etc. These can help save your life.
Making your health a priority is crucial, with more than 80% of today’s retirees saying health is the most important ingredient for a healthy retirement. You don’t have to drastically change your lifestyle habits all at once. Small steps can nudge yourself to better health.
Visit the National Institute on Aging at https://www.nia.nih.gov/health.