Your body will experience many as you grow older. It is very common for more health conditions or issues to show up as you age. Being aware of such health issues can help you stay healthy and live longer.

Thanks to the advances in nutrition and developments in the medical field, people are living longer than ever. According to recent statistics, the U.S alone has been experiencing an unprecedented increase in its senior population. One in every five citizens will be 65 and older in a few years. Furthermore, the average life expectancy is expected to pass 75 years for men and 80 years for women.

However, senior health threats like osteoporosis aren’t going to go away easily. Hence, it is important to keep yourself in shape.

What Is Healthy Aging?

In basic terms, healthy aging refers to a continuous process of optimizing opportunities to improve and maintain mental and physical health throughout a person’s life. However, being free of all diseases is not a requirement for healthy aging, as many old adults have one or more health conditions they need to address.

Adopting healthy behaviors and habits, using preventive services, managing all health conditions, understanding the usage of all medications, and staying involved in the community can contribute to a meaningful and productive life.

How to Live a Long and Healthy Life

As you age, certain things may or may not be normal for your body. Following are a few things that you can do for healthy aging as you experience various changes in your body:

• Your arteries and blood vessels become stiffer as you age. The heart has to work harder to pump blood, leading to high blood pressure and other heart problems. You can try performing moderate activities like walking and swimming that can help keep the blood pressure down and body weight in control.
• You might notice changes in your skin like excessive dryness. This is because the skin produces less natural oil as you age. For this, take warm showers and apply lotion and sunscreen when you go out. If you’re a smoker, try to quit smoking as it can cause wrinkles.
• As time passes, you may find it hard to focus on objects up close and listen to conversations in a crowded room. Make sure that you get your hearing and vision checked regularly.
• The bones begin to weaken and become more brittle and less dense in your early 40s and 50s. This can increase the risk of fracture. The joints may become stiffer too. Ensure that you get sufficient vitamin D and calcium through sources like dairy products and vegetables. In many cases, people can get enough vitamin D by spending time under the sun. You can even take supplements as per the doctor’s instructions.

What Not to Do to Live a Long and Healthy Life?

Following are a few things that you should avoid doing that are not normal for your body as you age:

• Don’t smoke

The blood pressure and blood circulation in the body improve after you quit smoking.

• Avoid processed foods

Processed foods include large amounts of sodium, saturated fat, and sugar, leading to various health issues like cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancer if consumed in large proportions regularly.

• Minimize stress

When you’re angry or stressed, the levels of stress hormones go up, which can negatively affect the metabolism, immune system, and heart. According to studies, high cortisol levels have been associated with greater mortality rates.

• Avoid staying awake for long

According to epidemiological studies, sleeping for more or a few hours has put people at greater risk of fatality. A good night’s sleep can help ward off depression, stress, and chances of heart disease.

Conclusion

Many factors affect healthy aging. Some can be controlled, while some, such as genetics, are not in our control. However, you can always take certain steps to maintain your quality of life and manage your health.

If you are looking for in-home care services near you in Orange County, contact us at Newport Home Care in Newport Beach, CA. We offer 24-hour in-home senior care services at fair prices. We will take full care of you or your loved ones who need help with daily living activities.