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Incorporate These Habits into Your Daily Life for Healthier Senior Years


While it is true that we are all living longer, there are some steps you can take to help make those years healthier than ever. The National Institute of Health recommends that seniors incorporate the following habits into their daily lives: eat a balanced diet; keep your mind and body active; do not smoke; get regular checkups; and practice safety habits to avoid accidents and prevent falls.

The Family Doctor website also offers some common sense advice on how even small changes in your lifestyle can improve your health even if you are already a senior. Their primary recommendation is to add physical activity to your daily life and make changes to your diet.

By increasing your daily physical activity, it will help improve the strength of your bones and muscles. In addition, we know that stronger muscles can help to prevent falls, and if you do experience a fall, those stronger bones are less apt to break. By daily exercising, you can also help improve many chronic health problems such as diabetes.

Seniors new to exercising should consult their health care provider before they begin. Once they are given the go ahead, they need to start slowly. Walking is one of the easiest exercises to do and experts suggest breaking up 30 minutes of daily activity into increments if it is easier for you. Consider walking for 15 minutes twice a day or doing 10 minutes 3 times a day. Strength training also offers seniors benefits but again the suggestion is to begin slowly. Start with 1 or 5-pound weights and do a few exercises at a time. Resistance bands are also easy to use and can help to strengthen upper arms and leg muscles.

The article also suggests making changes to your diet. Try making small changes one at a time that add up to improved health. Adding more fiber to your meals gets your colon working better and reduces the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and cancer. A heart healthy diet to try is the Mediterranean diet which promotes foods such as fish, fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains. Lastly, they recommend you drink more water and eat more whole foods.

Are you considering retirement communities in Hillsboro, OR? At MorningStar, our community is designed to promote residents’ health and well-being with a range of hospitality services, resort-style amenities, wellness programs and activities. Our beautiful property has 141 spacious apartments in studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans. Amenities include restaurant-style dining, fitness center, swimming pool, art studio, strolling paths and resident garden beds. Please contact us or visit our website for more information about MorningStar of Hillsboro.

MorningStar’s foundation is based on the mission to honor God, value seniors and invest in our staff to create a unique senior living experience. Set in a warm, loving atmosphere with beautiful surroundings and resort-style amenities, we provide one of the finest retirement communities Hillsboro, OR offers. Please contact us to learn why MorningStar is such a great place to call home.

Source:familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/seniors/staying-healthy/good-health-habits-at-age-60-and-beyond.html

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