{"id":5239,"date":"2022-10-24T08:00:39","date_gmt":"2022-10-24T12:00:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/assistinghands.com\/125\/?p=5239"},"modified":"2023-10-25T10:22:31","modified_gmt":"2023-10-25T14:22:31","slug":"healthy-aging-practices","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/assistinghands.com\/68\/bostonnw\/massachusetts\/blog\/healthy-aging-practices\/","title":{"rendered":"It\u2019s Never Too Late to Embrace Healthy Aging Practices"},"content":{"rendered":"

Making good lifestyle choices and avoiding bad habits is the key to enjoying a higher quality of life at any age, especially once you reach your Golden Years. Healthy habits such as eating right, exercising regularly, and staying socially engaged\u00a0can help ensure that the second half of your life is just as rewarding as the proceeding decades. If you\u2019re not sure what that looks like, growing older with dignity and independence is possible by embracing a few simple healthy aging practices \u2013 starting with those that follow.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Healthy Lifestyle Tips for Older Adults<\/h2>\n

It\u2019s no secret that as the average senior grows older, their hair sports more grays and their face more lines. Achy muscles and joints often keep older adults from participating in activities they once enjoyed. Still others experience cognitive changes<\/a> that make remembering important dates and facts more challenging.<\/p>\n

And although it\u2019s true that nobody lives forever, slowing down the aging process is possible by taking these steps:<\/p>\n

Avoid bad habits<\/h3>\n

Whether it\u2019s smoked or chewed, tobacco harms almost every organ in your body while contributing to numerous health problems<\/a>. If you use tobacco in any form, kick that bad habit to the curb right away.<\/p>\n

Other unhealthy habits to avoid include a sedentary lifestyle, drinking alcohol to excess, not socializing enough, and eating too many processed and sugary foods that lack the essential nutrients your aging body so desperately needs.<\/p>\n

Eat whole foods<\/h3>\n

As more of a way of eating rather than an actual diet, this concept means loading up on fresh veggies and fruits, along with whole grains, nuts, and low-dairy food items. A whole food diet<\/a> also means reducing your intake of fatty meats, butter, sugar, salt, and highly processed foods.<\/p>\n

Many studies have found that eating this way may help you live longer by protecting you against heart disease, cancer, Parkinson\u2019s disease, Alzheimer\u2019s disease, and other life-shortening medical conditions.<\/p>\n

Exercise regularly<\/h3>\n

If you are otherwise healthy enough to do so, working out for 20 minutes 3 to 5X a week goes a long way in slowing the aging process. Regular exercise benefits older adults in low-impact exercises<\/a> for seniors include Yoga, Tai Chi, walking, cycling, swimming, and water aerobics.<\/p>\n

Add dietary fiber<\/h3>\n

Not only does fiber fill you up for longer, but increasing your fiber intake helps reduce your cholesterol levels and odds of getting constipated or developing heart disease, type 2 diabetes<\/a>, and colon cancer. Ways to add dietary fiber include swapping out white bread for whole grains and adding kidney beans to your soup or apple slices to salads.<\/p>\n

Take supplements<\/h3>\n

Once you reach age 50, your body requires more of certain vitamins and minerals to perform optimally. Although dietary nutrients are the best kind, you can also take daily supplements in pill form to ensure you are getting enough.<\/p>\n

Examples of vitamins and minerals<\/a> you may need to supplement include:<\/p>\n