Healthy Senior Lifestyle Habits To Maintain After Turning 55

There are many things that we can do to live a healthy lifestyle. As we age, it becomes even more important to pay attention to our routines and practice good habits. After turning 55, you might have noticed that your body has started to change and due to these changes, you are no longer able to do the things that you used to do easily. To maintain a strong, healthy body, here are some senior lifestyle habits that you should adopt as you enter your golden years.

Stay Physically Active

There are many benefits of staying physically active as you age. These include maintaining muscle strength and improving balance and flexibility, which in turn can help reduce the risk of falls. When seniors are not active, they may develop stiff joints and muscle weakness that can lead to mobility issues. 

When you exercise, you’ll get to enjoy mental health benefits as well. Studies have shown that being engaged in physical activities can help relieve stress, boost your mood and improve your self-esteem. Hence, you don’t have to engage in high-impact activities such as Crossfit or High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) as low-impact or moderate-intensity activities are just as effective. Here are two physical activities that you should incorporate into your daily routines:   

• Walking is a good aerobic exercise as it's easy on your joints but still helps you to burn calories and maintain your weight. Going for regular walks can also strengthen your heart, lungs and muscles, as well as improve your balance and coordination. You can walk indoors using a treadmill or head outdoors for a stroll. 
• Yoga is an ancient Indian practice that incorporates the use of physical postures, breathing techniques and relaxation or meditation. When practicing yoga, you’ll move your body into different poses that can include seated poses, standing poses, balancing poses and resting poses. Doing yoga not only helps you achieve clarity and calmness but also sharpens your concentration. All you need to do to get started is a yoga mat and some slow, relaxing music in the background.

Eat a Healthy Diet

Your diet is the foundation of good health. A healthy diet can help reduce your risk of chronic diseases and conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes and obesity. Here are some tips for making healthy eating a part of your daily routine:

• For your daily meals, eat a variety of food from all the food groups. This includes fruits, vegetables, grains such as whole wheat bread or pasta, dairy products such as milk or yogurt and protein such as lean meat or beans. 
• Limit your intake of saturated fat and trans fatty acids found in some processed foods by choosing low-fat versions instead. 
• Be sure to get enough calcium by eating at least two servings of low-fat dairy products. 
• Choose whole grains instead of refined products like white flour and rice. Whole grains contain fiber, vitamins and minerals that help to lower blood cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease.

Maintain Healthy Lifestyle Habits in Our Independent Living Community

In our Independent Living community, you will have access to on-site amenities which allow you to stay physically active. As our guests, you can also enjoy our exclusive senior living programs that are sure to make your stay with us a fulfilling and enriching one. To learn more about our retirement community in Fort Myers, FL, contact us today!