Regardless of our age, it’s important that we make healthy choices. However, as we begin to get older, the risk of age-related diseases increases, so adopting a healthy lifestyle is essential.
It’s never too late to take charge and learn some new habits; plus, they can be as big or as small as you like. The following steps will not only improve your health but they can also slow down the ageing process.
Be more active
Don’t worry if you’ve been inactive for the majority of your life so far, taking up some new activities later on can improve life expectancy. Exercise is known to lower your risk of high blood pressure, type II diabetes, and heart disease, and increase your quality of life.
If you’re someone who is more susceptible to these illnesses, being more active is paramount. You may also take out over 50 life insurance as a precaution for your family if anything were to happen to you.
Experts say 30 minutes of exercise per day is enough and this could include anything from running to swimming or even an aerobics class. If you struggle with mobility, light activity such as walking is enough to offer health benefits. Ideally, you should walk for more than four hours a week if going at a slow pace.
Watch what you eat
There are various diet plans out there for losing weight, but this isn’t always the most important thing. A balanced diet is crucial for good health and preventing illnesses. This should include lots of fruits, vegetables, fish, and whole grains, which is why a Mediterranean-style diet is often recommended.
By including these types of meals in your diet and cutting out processed and sugary foods, you can reduce your cholesterol levels and lower the risk of coronary heart disease. Following a Mediterranean diet can even reduce the risk of developing dementia.
Improve your sleep quality
We all know that a poor night’s sleep can make us tired the next day, but were you also aware that it can affect your memory as well as your emotions? As you age, getting a full night’s sleep can be more difficult, but you must still get the same amount of hours.
If your sleep problems result from medical conditions or medication side effects, address your concerns with a medical professional. It can also help to dedicate time to practising relaxation techniques such as mindfulness and meditation.
See your doctor often
You know your body better than anyone else, yet some health issues can go under the radar without intervention from your doctor. It’s good to have routine checks done at the doctors to assess your blood pressure and cholesterol levels. If there is anything to worry about, you can be prescribed medication to alleviate this.
Whilst you’re there, see whether you’re up to date on your vaccinations. If you have a serious health condition, having your seasonal flu jab can greatly reduce the chances of becoming sick and your condition getting worse. If you’re over the age of 65 or meet the criteria on the NHS website, you should be able to get this for free.
