Top ten tips to stay healthy
We have ten extremely helpful, simple to do, tips for you to follow to stay healthy and youthful.
1. Have a cup of tea
It’s very important to make sure that drink enough. If not, you can become dehydrated, which leads to tiredness and confusion, Older people are less sensitive to thirst and so can easily become dehydrated. Also, older kidneys don’t work quite as well as young ones, so it’s important to keep flushing them through. You should try to drink eight reasonably sized glasses of water a day, as well as tea and coffee and other drinks. We’ve got some great suggestions here
2. Floss at night-time
Floss removes pieces of food from between the teeth and prevents gum disease. If you don’t floss, you might get sore or bleeding gums. Some studies have shown that a build-up of plaque can lead to dementia and heart disease. Read more about dental hygiene here
3. Exercise to improve mobility and mental health
Older adults who exercise are less likely to be dependent on long term care, as
Keeping mobile through exercise can improve balance and prevent falls In addition, exercise promotes better mental health, helping you manage stress, sleep better, feel less isolated and lowering anxiety levels.
Improving joint strength and mobility helps to keep bone density high and helps prevent osteoporosis and inflammation
Exercise also improves the appearance of hair, nails and skin.
Try walking, Nordic walking, swimming, yoga, Pilates or Tai Chi
4. Snack more…yes, really!
Older people can struggle to eat big meals, so eating little and often can really help. It keeps blood sugar levels steady. Just try not to eat too many sugary things. We have some good tips on what to eat here
5. Wear comfortable shoes
Older people can suffer from painful feet and it can really affect your mobility. However, there are many options now available to buy comfortable shoes or trainers, which allow you to get around and also prevent you from falling. Beware of wearing slippers all the time, as they have little support and can make foot pain worse. You can also claim VAT back on certain specialist shoes. Read more here
6. Keep Vitamin D levels high
Vitamin D comes form sun exposure, but the sun is not easy to find in the UK and when you age, you often spend more time indoors. So it’s a good idea to take a daily vitamin D supplement. It promotes bone health and can prevent some cancers.
7. Laugh every day
Laughing can improve your mental and physical health, boosting your immune system, fighting infection, relieving pain and even burning calories! If you don’t know any good jokes, watch a favourite comedy on TV for half an hour to get your ration of laughs!
8. Have regular check ups
It is very important to get regular eye and hearing tests to make sure that you can see and hear properly. Deficiencies in either can lead to isolation and loneliness, as it becomes harder to follow conversations and older people can become less confident about going out. We have a full list of check- ups you ought to be having regularly here
9. Hobbies keep you stimulated
Hobbies are a great way to get out and about and to prevent loneliness and isolation. There are so many things you can do, from volunteering to golf to bowls and creative pursuits. We have a full list here
As we age, it can be harder to get to sleep. You then get tired during the day, have a nap and then struggle to sleep that night. It can be a vicious circle. We have some great suggestions here to help you to get a good night’s sleep here
