As you get older, it’s incredibly important that you create and maintain habits that promote your wellbeing. Especially because older adults are more prone to injury and illness, it’s important that you build your lifestyles around preventative care for your physical and mental health.
Today, we are going to talk about some tips for people of varying ages and abilities that promote your wellbeing as you get older.
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Incorporate More Exercise into Your Life
Finding ways to incorporate exercise into your daily life is a great way to change your routine for long-term success. If you can find little ways to boost how you move every day, you’re more likely to stick to these new habits for long-lasting results.
Sneaking fitness into your existing schedule is key. Try biking instead of driving when possible, hopping on the treadmill while watching TV, or switching to audiobooks so you can take a walk while you read.
These are all suggestions that don’t need big time commitments but will really add up in improving your physical health.
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Create Habits that Improve Social Wellbeing
If you are looking to make a bigger change in your life, joining an exercise class is a great way to shake up your routine. Don’t be afraid to try out different types of classes to see what works for you.
Dance, yoga, pilates, and spinning classes are all great ways to try something new, and even make a couple of new friends. Some gyms also offer more traditional workouts in group settings, if you want to stick to a more classic fitness routine.
Another option for getting your social needs met while exercising is through joining (or even starting, if you’re up for the responsibility) a jogging or biking club. This is a great way to further connect with your local fitness community.
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Practice Mindfulness
Exercise is a great tool for improving your mental health, and by incorporating meditation, you can reap even more benefits. Yoga is a practice that combines meditation and exercise, two key factors in your wellbeing.
Because yoga is very adaptable, it’s a great way for you to reach your own fitness goals. Some yogis take it easy, focusing on flexibility and meditation, while others use it to improve core strength and balance.
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Find Alternative Healthy Habits
Are you already satisfied with your fitness routine? Or are you just looking to start somewhere else in your health journey? As you get older, mental and emotional wellbeing can be just as important as physical health.
Cooking at home is a great way to get better nutrition compared to eating out at restaurants. If you live in a smaller household and find yourself drowning in leftovers, this is a great opportunity to get involved at your local soup kitchen or share with neighbors.
Not into cooking? Try organizing a rotating dinner schedule with friends to enrich your social life and get the responsibility of cooking off your plate every once in a while.
If you have other talents, volunteer opportunities benefit both you and your community. Finding ways to donate your time to your local community center or organizing supply drives can be a great mental health boost!
Reap the Surprising Benefits of Healthy Aging
Investing time into taking care of your body can be hard because you don’t get to actually see which health problems that your good habits prevent. But by taking care of your physical and mental health, you are saving yourself time, stress, and money in the long term.
Taking care of yourself now means fewer health insurance deductibles later and less stress over finding Medicare participating providers once you reach that stage of life. Check out the visual below for more ways you can work on your health as you age and stay out of the doctor’s office.