Living healthy may or may not add years to your life, but it can add life to your years. By taking control of the way you live, you can avoid many of the health pitfalls of age and manage ones that are unavoidable. The good news is it's never too late to develop good health habits or to reinstate ones you may have lost.
Eat Healthy
The same nutritional advice applies when you qualify for senior discounts at the local diner as it did before you reached that milestone. Go easy on meat, eat lots of fruits, vegetables and whole grains, drink plenty of water, and keep your weight where it should be. But while recommendations haven't changed, you might have. As you age, your sense of taste and smell may diminish, making food less appealing. This can be helped by more liberal use of herbs and spices. Dental or denture problems may make chewing difficult; if so, see a dentist. Some diseases, such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease, occur more often with age and may require dietary adaptations. Follow your doctor's recommendations.
Keep Moving
Exercise is good for you at any age and it's never too late to start. Dr. Shahira Koury, a specialist in physical medicine at University of California Irvine, says "If exercise were available in pill form, it would be considered a wonder drug." If you have been leading a sedentary life, get cleared for exercise by your doctor and begin slowly with low-impact exercise such as walking or swimming. For maximum health benefits, include cardiovascular, strength, balance and flexibility exercises in your routine.
Keep Learning
Exercise your mind as well as your body, because even old brains can grow new neurons, according to the Franklin Institute. While some mental decline is a result of disease, much of what people consider "normal" for aging is caused by inactivity. Reading and doing crossword puzzles is fine, but don't stop there. Many state universities offer free or low-cost tuition to people over 65; audit a class, take one for credit or get a degree. With the Internet, you have access to free online classes from top universities. Another inexpensive source of learning is your local extension office.
Take Charge of Your Medical Care
Besides eating right and exercising body and mind, take charge of your health in other ways. If you have a disease, educate yourself about it through books, the Internet and medical professionals. Ask questions of your doctor. If you don't understand the answer, ask him to clarify until you do or buy a small digital recorder so you can research more about the answer later. Request copies of lab results for your records. Don't just go to the doctor when you feel ill. Instead, get yearly exams, immunizations and recommended preventative tests, such as mammograms and colonoscopies. It's your body. Take charge of it.
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