Five Tips for Living Well at Any Age
While aging is inevitable, our approach to it can significantly impact our quality of life in our later years. September is Healthy Aging Month – a perfect time to reflect on our well-being as we grow older. Here’s five tips to stay active, healthy, and lively as you age!
1. Prioritize Physical Activity
The CDC recommends that adults engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise each week. If this sounds overwhelming, try breaking it down! For example – this goal can be achieved by working out for 30 minutes a day, five days a week.
2. Embrace a Balanced Diet
Nutrition plays a significant role in staying healthy. A well-rounded diet supports physical health, energy levels, and cognitive functions. Prioritize fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Drinking plenty of water is crucial for staying hydrated and maintaining bodily functions.
The recipe library in Motivation Alliance is a great way to choose what’s on the menu for the week! Recipes can be favorited and filtered by inclusions and exclusions like low sodium, high fiber, and more.
3. Prioritize Mental and Emotional Well-Being
Mental health is just as important as physical health. Staying socially connected by participating in clubs or community events can help with loneliness and depression. Adding mindfulness practices like meditation and deep breathing into daily routines helps manage stress and enhance mental clarity. Lastly, seeking support from mental health professionals can be crucial when faced with challenging life circumstances.
Motivation Alliance has a library of mindfulness practices, ranging from three to twenty minutes, to choose from! If your portal includes Les Mills, you also have access to their Mindfulness classes.
4. Get Regular Check-Ups
Regular medical check-ups are essential for monitoring your health and catching potential issues early on. Regular screenings for conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and cancer are crucial for early detection and more effective treatment. If you have chronic conditions, work closely with your healthcare provider to manage them effectively. In addition, vaccinations, such as those for influenza and pneumonia, are important for preventing illness and maintaining health.
Keep track of these with the Preventive Care Checklist in your Motivation Alliance account so you never miss an appointment!
5. Find a Sense of Purpose
Having a sense of purpose can significantly impact your overall well-being and happiness as you age. Set personal and meaningful goals, whether they’re related to personal growth, hobbies, or community involvement. You can also try volunteering and contributing your time and skills to causes you care about. Above all – try to engage in activities that bring you joy and fulfillment!
To help figure out what moves you and gives you a sense of purpose, consider logging your volunteering hours and journaling in the Reflection Journal!
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Resources
Aging: What to expect. (2023). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/healthy-aging/in-depth/aging/art-20046070#:~:text=Eat%20a%20healthy%20diet.%20Choose%20vegetables%2C%20fruits%2C%20whole
CDC. (2024, May 24). Are You Up to Date on Your Preventive Care? Chronic Disease. https://www.cdc.gov/chronic-disease/prevention/preventive-care.html
CDC. (2024, February 21). Physical Activity for Adults: An Overview. Physical Activity Basics. https://www.cdc.gov/physical-activity-basics/guidelines/adults.html
CDC. (2024). What Vaccines are Recommended for You. Vaccine Information for Adults. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines-adults/recommended-vaccines/index.html
CDC. (2024). Vaccine-Preventable Adult Diseases. Vaccine Information for Adults. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines-adults/diseases/index.html
Healthy Aging Month | Homeland Security. (2022). U.S. Department of Homeland Security. https://www.dhs.gov/employee-resources/news/2022/09/06/healthy-aging-month#:~:text=Healthy%20Aging%20Month%20is%20observed%2cour%20minds%20and%20bodies%20change
Disclaimer
We want you to be well and to live your best life. The content in this blog is provided for the purposes to educate and entertain you: our very important reader. It is not intended as medical advice or as a substitute for medical advice from a trained healthcare professional.
If you have a medical condition or are under the care of a medical provider, please always seek the advice of a qualified medical professional before undertaking a new health care regimen. To that point, never disregard medical advice or delay treatment for a medical condition because of something you read on this site.
Listen to your care providers as they know you and your condition best. Thank you for reading!
The Team at BSDI