Many of us workout and exercise so that as we age, we are better prepared to cope with our
bodies becoming less agile and youthful as they once were. Of course, this isn’t the only reason, but it does sometimes crop up in the back of our minds, and just like saving for retirement, it’s not a bad practice to follow.
But what if you are already reaching your elderly years, or see them on the horizon, and want to start making a change? Perhaps you have a parent or grandparent you hope to see live a healthier lifestyle, or maybe we have a health condition that we’re trying to manage by trying to enjoy a better and more caring self-love approach.
In this post, we’ll prioritise the ability for you to become fitter than you may be now, your potential capabilities, and of course, your dignity. This way, we’ll learn that anyone can begin to live a healthier lifestyle and that it’s never, ever, ever too late to do so. Let’s see what that might mean:
Eat A Consistent Diet
It’s not only about eating healthy but about eating consistently. You can’t be expected to only eat food that is uber-healthy at all times and that doesn’t contain any saturated fats or high-calorie counts. You should be able to enjoy retirement, pending the advice of your Doctor. What matters more, then, is the overall trend of your diet being very healthy, rather than every single mealtime staying perfect. This can help you stay disciplined while also giving you the chance to enjoy a treat from time to time, taking nothing away from a healthy, nutritious and supportive diet.
Consistency is king. For instance, food delivery for elderly individuals can often be a great investment, as it helps you avoid having to curate every single meal yourself, which can be a real help if you have mobility issues or wish to take some of the busywork out of a healthy, complete and tasty diet.
Stretch
Stretching is very important indeed. It can truly help us unlock just how our body feels, and the aches or pains we may have otherwise encountered. You don’t have to have the capabilities of a circus gymnast in order to make use of a good stretching regimen. Simply spending some time doing so isometric exercises, a few dynamic stretches and shaking off the cobwebs each morning can be tremendously healthy, provided you find a plan and stick to it. You may also find that yoga classes conducted for the elderly can truly help, as yoga not only helps you stretch, it allows you to strengthen and meditate at the same time.
Low-Impact Activities
Low-impact exercises and activities can be a great way of keeping your heart healthy and your mind sharp. For instance, instead of running hard on a treadmill (a process that can cause difficulty with your knees), going for long walks with your dog can be a tremendously healthy exercise. This way, you could walk with a friend or a family member and still raise your heart rate while exercising your muscles. Yoga, as mentioned above, can also help you exercise while taking into account your bodily needs. Low-impact activities, then, are not only supportive, but soft, and sustainable. Those are great virtues for any health-focused approach.
Cutting & Lessening Vices
There are two points of view to be had when it comes to dealing with our vices in our golden years. Why is this? Well, because it might be that a little treat from time to time is healthy, and you shouldn’t think about cutting yourself off from everything that you love in life in order to live ‘perfectly,’ especially as you’re trying to enjoy your retirement.
That said, often, taking the time to cut out our vices simply helps us trade one self-determined positive with another, much more wholesome and present alternative. For example, quitting smoking in your golden years, or convincing your relative to do the same, could help them begin to breathe easier, suffer less from health issues, and generally live a fuller, happier life. The same goes for alcohol, and many other little treats we may consider necessary. Cutting or lessening vices helps us live our golden years in comfort, without being attached to any practice, without feeling as though we’re negatively contributing to our own health. It’s worth thinking about, and how this relates to you.
With this advice, we hope you can continue to stay fit and healthy in your elderly years. After all, everyone deserves a great and full life.