Healthy at Any Age: Self-Care Tips for the Whole Family
No matter your age, there are things you can do every day to make sure you stay at your best. So, let’s look at a few of the areas you should pay attention to when it comes to your daily schedule and how you should generally live your life.
Rest Your Age
The amount of sleep you need varies based on your age, gender, and any special conditions you may have. It has been found that on average, adult women need approximately 20 more minutes of sleep than the 7-9 hours recommended for men. Pregnant women have even greater sleep needs than the average adult due to their growing fetus. For adults 65+ years of age, 7-8 hours of sleep will do the trick.
While you already know that a sleep deprivation potentially leads to grumpiness and difficulty concentrating, it is important to know there are long-term side effects surrounding this as well. Sleep deprivation, as discussed by Healthline, can actually have lasting effects on your memory recall, and can lead to depression or anxiety. When you are sleep-deprived on a consistent basis, it can depress your immune system and affect the regulatory processes that keep your heart healthy.
Work at Working Out
This article from Everyday Health lists some of the many benefits of exercise. When you are physically active, you help your brain fight against degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and depression. Exercise also helps aging muscles remain strong, and decreases your risk of having a stroke. Even if you have a busy schedule, you can get your workouts by following some of these tips from Shape.com; for example, it is suggested that you work out during your lunch hour, or do some quick exercises while at your desk. You could even ramp up your intensity when climbing the stairs.
Find Financial Relief
There is little doubt that the state of our finances can have a major impact on our stress levels. If your finances need a cash infusion, consider refinancing your home. By giving up some equity in your home, you can replace your old mortgage with one that has lower monthly rates. You can even use these savings to make some health-boosting home improvements such as the addition of a home gym, or an outdoor patio.
Keep a Gut-Friendly Diet
While our nutritional needs tend to change as we age, we never outgrow the need to keep our gut microbiome balanced and happy. Your gut microbiome is made up of over a thousand different types of microorganisms, including Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Akkermansia, and Bifidobacterium. When there is a balance in your gut microbiome, your body digests food properly, and is able to monitor the neurotransmitters sent from your brain for optimally. Your immune system also works efficiently to fight against illnesses. In order to keep your gut healthy, however, you need to be careful about what you eat. For instance, you should generally avoid consuming highly processed food, and eat more fiber/add more plant-based foods to your diet.
Get Back to Nature
According to Goodnet, spending time in nature can reduce your stress levels and help you sleep better. Taking the time to soak in a little sun outdoors on a daily basis will boost your vitamin D levels - giving your immune system an instant kick. If going for a walk in a park is not feasible for you, consider green spaces nearby your home or place of work. Furthermore, your health might benefit from natural remedies for minor ailments instead of prescription medications (i.e. coconut oil can help moisturize dry skin, while garlic is recommended for the treatment of warts. Tea tree oil and oregano oil have been shown to be useful for the treatment of infections). Before using these remedies for a chronic situation, be sure to consult with your doctor to avoid any potential adverse reactions to your current medication regimen.
It’s never too early or too late to start taking care of yourself the right way. So, regardless of your situation, try incorporating some of these tips here to help you live a more healthy and fulfilling life.
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Written By: Brad Krause