Healthy Aging: Tips to Take Control of Your Health in Your Golden Years

There is no time like the present to educate yourself and others about staying healthy as you get older. While it may seem like popular culture paints a horrible picture of aging, aging is a part of life that you can actually look forward to if you take the proper steps to keep yourself health. Use the following tips to live a fulfilling, healthy life.

• You truly are what you eat. Eating a balanced diet is not only important to do as you age, but a habit you should start in your younger years. The things you do in your younger years ultimately affect your health down the road. As you get older your dietary needs become even more important and they also begin to change. Pay attention to the signs your body gives you. Certain foods may become harder to digest as you age, so stay away from anything that upsets your body if it is not 100% necessary to eat for nutritional value. See what extra supplements your doctor suggests to get nutrients you might lack.
• Babies and the elderly have immune systems that need to be treated with a bit more care. Because your immune system becomes weaker be sure to incorporate antioxidant-rich foods into your everyday diet routine. Antioxidants help protect cells and strengthen immune systems. Foods that you should eat more of due to their antioxidant properties include beans, broccoli, tomatoes, blueberries, oranges, pecans and walnuts.
• As the famous quote says, a mind really is a terrible thing to waste. To keep your brain functioning at its peak you must exercise it like you do the rest of your body. The good news is that you can keep your brain healthy and have fun while doing so. Do fun word games or memory games every day to keep your mind fit and potentially decrease your chances of having memory loss as you age.
• Staying hydrated is extremely important as you age. Drink 6 or more glasses of water a day.
• Aging increases your risk of developing heart disease. There are several foods that can help you build a heart healthy diet plan. These foods include salmon, garlic and whole grain food.
• Arthritis is most common in older people. While it is impossible to cure arthritis, there are things you can do and foods you can eat to help alleviate the pain or to lower your risk of developing arthritis. Omega-3’s and antioxidants help decrease inflammation in the body which is a complication of arthritis. Get these nutrients into your diet by eating more flaxseed, olive oil and fish such as salmon.  
• Out of all the things you can do to remain healthy as you age, staying physically active may be one of the most important. Studies have shown that physically active people have a decreased chance of being depressed, lowered risk of developing diseases and tend to have more normal stress levels. Staying physically active can be fun and easy. Incorporate more activity into your favorite hobbies. For example, walk faster through your garden, pick more flowers, or even walk to a park to knit instead of staying home.

Make your golden years as precious as gold by doing your part in remaining healthy!

About the Author:

NorthShore is an integrated health system with dedicated medical offices and hospitals in the Chicago area. The core mission of NorthShore University HealthSystem is to preserve and improve human life. Visit Northshore today for personalized wellness services and healthful tips.