Tips for Seniors to Enjoy a Healthy Retirement

One of the biggest miracles of the 20th century was the remarkable increase in life expectancy from 50 years in 1900 to nearly 80 years by the millennium. Although this was an incredible achievement powered by modern medicine and farming techniques, there can be a downside. After all, life is as much about quality as it is about quantity. It is important that you enjoy a high quality of life in your old age if you are going to be living for decades after retirement. To help you enjoy your later years, use the following tips for seniors to stay healthy and enjoy a fantastic quality of life.

Stay Fit

The very best thing you can do if you want to enjoy a high quality of life in your senior years is to exercise regularly. Exercise is like magic for seniors. Exercise makes you stronger and gives you more energy. It boosts your mood. When you stay active, it helps you to avoid losing muscle mass and putting on fat. Avoiding obesity is very important for seniors as it has been linked to a slew of serious medical problems like diabetes, cancer, depression and heart disease.

You need to get a good mix of workouts for best results. You need both cardio and strength training workouts. Strength training builds up your bone density, which helps to prevent osteoporosis. Strength training also helps you to avoid losing muscle mass, a process that is natural as you age and accelerates the older you get. You should also think about adding yoga, which will help you to stay limber and avoid developing the telltale hump associated with old people.

Eat Right

Along with exercising regularly, it is important to eat right to keep from putting on excess weight. Exercise portion control when you eat. Drink a glass of water before you eat to improve digestion and avoid overeating. Avoid sugar in both foods and beverages. Don’t substitute diet soda either. You should try to drink as much water as possible instead. Staying hydrated will always make you feel better.

Try to eat as many fruits and vegetables as possible. Stick to whole grains. Avoid red meat. Limit seafood to once a week. Don’t forget that eggs are an inexpensive, healthy protein choice. Stay away from processed foods and watch your salt intake. Eat as many natural foods as possible. When you follow these healthy eating rules, you will have more energy and enjoy better health.

Stay Social

One of the worst things about old age is that many people start to lose their social networks in their later years. Their friends pass or move away. They become less active and don’t engage in as many social activities. This can lead to loneliness and depression if they are not careful.

To avoid this, you need to look for ways to stay social. Being cooped up by yourself all day is not healthy. You need to get out of your house and socialize as often as possible. Take a class or join a club to meet new people. Say hello to strangers. Think about aged care providers who will help you live better and enjoy company at the same time. Think about joining a retirement community. There are loads of ways to make new friends. Seize the social opportunities that come your way to bring joy to your life.

Seniors today can expect longer lives than ever before, but they need to be smart about wellness to enjoy them the way they deserve. Make sure that you exercise, eat right and stay social to enjoy your high quality of life during your senior years.