Your lifestyle choices make a difference in your health and well-being. Explore these keys to wellness as we celebrate Older Americans Month.
Older Americans Month in May is a perfect time to focus on lifestyle choices you can make to age well. The observance highlights aging trends while recognizing the important contributions of older adults. Here are some keys to wellness selected especially for older adults.
Believe in your value: This year’s theme for Older Americans Month is Flip the Script on Aging. “It encourages individuals and communities to challenge stereotypes and dispel misconceptions,” says the Administration for Community Living.
“Older adults have enjoyed years of experiences, and many have refined their life skills, insights, and wisdom accordingly. It is fair to take pride in that,” explains the blog, What Does it Mean to Age Well? People who have a positive attitude about aging are less likely to develop chronic illnesses—and more likely to live longer, according to research from Harvard.
Connect with nature: Spend time enjoying nature. Take in the trees, the birds, the flowers, the beach—whatever gives you pleasure. Research from Penn State University confirms that being in nature can boost your physical and mental health and improve your well-being. You can hike, stroll, or sit to reap the benefits, they say.
Eat your veggies: Besides supporting your overall health as you age, choosing vegetables affects your vision. Vegetable intake can help prevent age-related macular degeneration, a condition responsible for vision loss in 20 million Americans. Recent nutrition research shows that eating vegetables (especially leafy greens) as well as seafood can protect your vision as you age. The same foods support your cognitive health, too.
Get creative: Feel free to indulge in whatever creative pursuit inspires you. The National Institute on Aging explains that creative activities can improve your cognitive function and memory. They can also reduce feelings of stress and help you feel positively about yourself. Examples are singing, playing an instrument, theater, dance, creative writing, and quilting. If you do something creative with others, you can enjoy the social connections, too.
Get enough sleep: Keeping a solid sleep routine is key to getting enough sleep. For many adults, that’s 7 to 9 hours per night. “A good night’s sleep can help you learn, create new memories, respond quickly, solve problems, pay attention, make decisions, and be creative,” says the National Institute on Aging. Adequate sleep is also important to reduce your risk of chronic illnesses, like heart disease or diabetes. Sleep problems that can affect older adults include sleep apnea (breathing that stops and starts), arthritis pain, or insomnia (trouble falling asleep or staying asleep). For help with sleep concerns, it’s a good idea to talk with your healthcare provider.
Build your balance: Building your balance helps you avoid falls—and helps you stay independent. If you feel unsteady on your feet or experience dizziness, you may be at risk of falling. Certain medications or health conditions can affect your balance. If you are noticing difficulty with balance, talk with your healthcare provider to understand the cause. They may suggest physical therapy or other treatment. Exercise is helpful for improving balance. Check out the blog post on exercise benefits, and consider joining a class
Keep up with health screenings: Health screenings can help you stay ahead of common health risks, like diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, or cancer. “By preventing problems, or identifying them early, you are more likely to live a longer, healthier, and more satisfying life,” says the American Academy of Family Physicians. Examples are: getting a blood cholesterol check, measuring your blood pressure, having a mammogram or colonoscopy, or checking your bone density.
Nurture your friendships: Staying connected to others is one of the best things you can do to age well. “Most people age 50 and older have at least one close friend whom they can rely on to support their health and well-being,” found the National Poll on Healthy Aging. Friends can help you make good choices for healthy aging, they say.
Social connections can protect your cognitive health and provide many other health benefits. Mayo Clinic notes that our connections may change as we age. They suggest:
- Schedule time with friends
- Go walking with friends or play pickleball
- Talk to your neighbors
- Take a class
- Connect with a faith-based group
- Volunteer
This year for Older Americans Month, we invite you to try out some wellness ideas and define aging well your way. For more ideas, check out the Aging Well blog series.