3 Ways Older Adults Can Stay Healthy In The New Year

As we head more into the new year, this tends to be a time of reflection and improvement for most older adults. While it’s no mystery, improving your health seems to be the most popular area of concentration for everybody. When starting to write your next chapter, being healthy makes it easier for you to do so in the best way possible. Whether you have your goals locked in or you’re still searching for a plan of attack, here are three ways you can stay healthy throughout all of 2023.

Stay on top of physical activity

It’s no secret at this point that part of being healthy includes exercise. Even though many people know this, we can still find it hard to muster up the motivation to get our bodies moving. Especially during the colder months, it’s easy to find yourself in a slouch. While this may be hard to overcome, we encourage you to still make an effort. Moving your body consistently each day will bring benefits not only to your physical well-being, but also areas like your mental health. 

We encourage you to start small and not overdo it right from the get-go. Starting small allows your body to adjust without feeling overwhelmed. Some great exercises older adults can do from the comfort of their own homes include light yoga, balancing, or even practicing sitting down and standing up. These are all great low-impact exercises to start at your own pace while allowing you to determine your own comfort levels. No matter what you choose, staying consistent is the key.

Protect your body

As the winters get colder and the summers get hotter, your body can be the first to notice these changes and, in turn, suffer the consequences. Fortunately enough, there are shields you can put up to protect your health all year long. In the colder months, dry skin can creep up on you very quickly if you’re not careful. This is due to many factors, such as dry heat indoors, cold harsh winds and low humidity. Building a routine to care for your skin will help keep the moisture inside and help to combat dry and cracking skin. Because your hands are exposed to all of the elements more often than any other body part, your hands will age first before any other part. Keeping a protective shield on them will help your skin stay healthy and fresh longer. 

Seasons and extreme weather can also have an impact on your eyes. Regardless of what stage of life you’re in, your eye health matters. They’re the only organ in your body responsible for capturing all the beautiful moments in your life. With that being said, it’s important to preserve and protect them for as long as you can. For starters, you can try buying a pair of sunglasses with UV protection, as this is one of the easiest ways to defend yourself from those harmful ultraviolet rays, no matter the season. Another way you can protect your eyes is by preventing them from becoming dry. Warm temperatures, whether outdoors or inside your home, can make your eyes feel scratchy and irritated. Something as simple as a daily eye drop can make a world of a difference in how you’re able to see.

Build healthy bones

As you age, bone health never usually comes to mind until it’s too late. Especially if you’re over the age of 65, osteoporosis can be a nuisance if you don’t prepare yourself ahead of time. Thankfully, it’s never too early to start caring for your bones. To begin with, you need vitamin D and calcium to fuel a healthy bone structure. While there are supplements for healthy bones, we always suggest getting your essential nutrients directly from the food you eat. Green veggies like kale and broccoli, as well as most dairy products, can be great natural sources of calcium. In addition, fish like salmon are terrific sources of vitamin D. Making these simple adjustments to your diet can ensure your bones are strong and healthy for many years to come. 

You can do it!

The beginning of a new year is not only a great time to reflect on the previous year, but also to plan your focus for the year ahead. For older adults, it’s incredibly important to always put your health first. No matter what areas  you plan on improving this year, the important part is that you take action. For more information on healthy, be sure to explore our services and resources here at Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging.