7 Practical Tips To Help Women Achieve Healthy Aging
Prioritizing health becomes increasingly important as women grow older. But as the first line of defense when safeguarding the family’s health, many women overlook their medical concerns. No wonder that they’re more prone than men to suffer common health conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and arthritis.
While there are health challenges unique to aging women, there’s a lot you can do to improve your chances of maintaining mental and physical well-being as you age. Your health must be a priority, regardless of the numerous responsibilities on your plate every day. Remember that the little things you do over time can make a massive difference.
Below are practice tips to help you achieve healthy aging and maintain an active and independent lifestyle for as long as possible.
Make Healthy Choices With Your Diet
Proper nutrition and food safety are essential for people of any age but are particularly important for older adults. You may become more vulnerable to foodborne illnesses and food poisoning as you age. That’s because your immune systems and organs don’t recognize and eliminate as effectively as they did when you were younger.
It requires additional effort to compensate for the natural changes your body experiences. That’s why eating foods high in nutrients can make a significant difference. Likewise, consult your healthcare provider for any dietary restrictions or products you must avoid due to particular health needs.
Strive for Moderate Physical Activity
Maintaining an active lifestyle is one of the keys to staying healthy at any age. Remember that you don’t have to go to a gym to work out. Likewise, intense workouts like lifting weights or jogging may be more challenging for older joints and bones. Hence, strive for moderate physical activity, such as walking at least 150 miles weekly.
Carrying groceries at least twice a week can be an excellent physical activity for strengthening muscles. You can also engage in low-impact exercises, including swimming, biking, or yoga. Even a simple morning walk can do wonders for your health.
Exercise doesn’t have to be strenuous to be effective. But if you’re still unsure about the kind of exercises you can do, don’t hesitate to speak to your doctor and inquire about safe ways to remain active.
Get Regular Health Screenings
Regular health screenings are critical to identifying health problems early or before you experience any visible signs or symptoms. Taking this step can help prevent health complications later in life.
Your healthcare provider determines which health screenings are appropriate for you and how frequently you should get screened. But to give you an idea, here are some common screenings recommended for aging women:
- Blood pressure screening
- Hearing test
- Eye exam
- Cholesterol screening
- Cervical cancer screening
- Breast cancer screening
- Colon cancer screening
Avoid Making Medication Errors
Medications can treat health problems and contribute to a long, healthy life. However, when misused, they can lead to serious health problems. Many women skip or take less medication than was directed because of cost. They tend to prioritize their health less because of financial or time pressures.
But your medicine may not be effective if you don’t take it as prescribed. If cost is one of your concerns, using a Buzzrx prescription discount card can be a valuable tool to reduce the cost of your medication. Taking generic medications of certain brand-name drugs can also help you reduce your expenses, allowing you to save more money, especially with maintenance medications. Of course, make sure to talk to your doctor about it before making the switch.
Remember that taking medications the right way can contribute greatly to living a healthy life. Hence, make sure not to put yourself at risk by skipping your medications.
Properly Manage Health Conditions
Suppose you have existing health conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and osteoporosis. It’s crucial to work with your healthcare provider to manage them properly. Besides adhering to the prescribed medication dosage and schedule, you may have to visit your doctor for routine health checkups.
Moreover, take note of any changes in your body. If you feel something is off or you think you’re experiencing certain health concerns, contact your physician. This way, you won’t have to risk your health by potentially serious medical issues.
But of course, don’t overdo it. Constantly worrying about nonexistent symptoms can lead to stress, making you feel anxious about your health even if your body is operating normally. Remember that as long as you visit your doctor for routine checkups, there is no need to worry too much about the state of your health.
Be Aware of Any Changes in Cognition
Some mild changes in cognition are a normal aspect of the aging process. But they’re subtle and primarily impact thinking speed and attention. It can be challenging to determine when cognitive changes are a concern as symptoms vary from person to person.
Consult your doctor if you experience rapid forgetting or difficulties expressing yourself. Moreover, you can take the following tips to maintain cognitive health as you age:
- Build social support networks
- Engage in activities that keep your mind active, such as reading and playing games.
- Practice mindfulness techniques to manage stress.
- Maintain good sleep hygiene.
- Give up smoking and alcohol use.
- Get a regular brain health screening.
Care About Your Spiritual Wellness
Spiritual wellness can also contribute to a positive and healthy aging experience. It can provide you with a better sense of purpose as well as improve your physical and mental health. You can integrate one or more of the following activities for your spiritual wellness:
- Create room for meditation.
- Spend quality time in nature.
- Slow down and focus on happy memories.
- Find a creative outlet that gives you joy.
Conclusion
Aging is a natural process that everyone undergoes. But contrary to popular belief, it doesn’t have to entail experiencing poor health and decreased vitality. Being proactive in different aspects of life can help you age happily and healthily. As always, ensure that you consult with your doctor before making any modifications to your lifestyle.