6 Ways To Promote Physical Health Among Seniors
Part 2
(Continuation)As people age, they tend to not need as much sleep as they used to when they were younger. This is why lots of older adults end up experiencing sleep difficulties. The good news is that once sleep problems are properly diagnosed, they can be treated. However, one of the best things you can do is try to get plenty of sleep on a regular basis.
4. Avoid Stress
Chronic stress has been linked to an array of health problems, including reduced immune function, cardiovascular disease, and a resistance to insulin. Stress can potentially promote inflammatory markers within our bodies. This is why it’s important to avoid becoming chronically stressed out.
Many things can cause stress, including relationships, work, and financial issues. There are several ways you can battle stress, such as exercising on a regular basis and getting plenty of sleep. Other ways to reduce stress include meditation and other types of relaxation techniques. It does take time to reduce stress, but it is worth putting in the effort.
5. Keep Obesity At Bay
Obesity is a huge risk factor for people in their later lives. As people age, the greater the link between premature death and obesity. It is important to do what you can to maintain a healthy weight.
Obesity is typically defined as having a BMI of 30 or higher. Obesity can worsen certain conditions, such as arthritis, which is linked to diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and glucose intolerance to name a few. It can even increase your risk for certain cancers.
There are studies that indicate that people who are obese can greatly improve their overall health. This is even if they lose a modest amount of weight. For example, an obese person can improve their health by simply losing around seven percent of their weight.
However, see a doctor if you are experiencing unintentional weight loss. This is a red flag in older adults. A medical professional will be able to dig deeper to find out if there is an issue.
6. Follow A Healthy Diet
What you eat can affect all areas of your health, which is why you should eat a healthy diet. Eating healthy will help you keep an array of health conditions at bay and/or potentially reduce symptoms of certain conditions you may already have. Not only that, but eating healthy will reduce your chances of becoming obese.
What you should eat and shouldn’t eat depends on many factors. Generally speaking, it’s a good idea to follow a diet low in saturated fat and high in fiber. Also, make sure you try to avoid added sugars as much as possible.
Call us or contact us today with any questions you might have! Visit our blog for more exciting articles about caregiving in Houston. Click here for the first issue of this article.
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