Spring is a time of fresh starts, so it provides a fabulous opportunity to think about your well-being, evaluate your current status, and take steps to embrace better health. After all, even small changes can reap big benefits. Can seniors benefit from conducting their own wellness checks? You’re never too old to feel better, so taking the time to evaluate how you feel is always useful. If you decide there’s room for improvement, these spring health tips for seniors may help.
Manage Allergies
If you struggle with allergies, you’re far from alone. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America reports that more than 100 million Americans battle some type of allergy. Seasonal allergies, which are triggered by pollen from trees, grasses, and other plants, are especially common. In 2021, some 81 million people were diagnosed with this issue. Spring often aggravates allergies, so if they trouble you, learning how to manage them effectively can improve your comfort and your health.
Stay Hydrated
Dehydration can cause confusion, blood pressure issues, kidney troubles, and a host of other problems in a very short time. Seniors are at higher risk of dehydration because they often have a decreased sense of thirst. Kidney function also tends to falter with age. In addition, many older adults take medications that can increase the chance of dehydration. As a result, savvy seniors make an effort to consume appropriate fluids regularly. Good strategies include choosing hydrating drinks like water, healthy juices, and milk instead of drinks that are high in sugar or caffeine. Setting alarms and using containers that help you keep track of how much you’re consuming can also help.
Exercise the Body
Experts have long advised older adults to get 150 minutes of moderate-level physical activity each week, so adding some exercise is a natural suggestion for any list of spring health tips for seniors. As Forbes reports, exercise is recommended because it offers several advantages that seniors will appreciate:
- Exercise makes it easier to accomplish everyday tasks without assistance, so seniors can maintain their independence.
- Exercise improves balance, helping to reduce the risk of falls for older adults.
- Exercise boosts bone density.
- Exercise builds strength.
- Exercise improves cardiovascular and respiratory fitness and general wellness. This can help protect against disease and various chronic illnesses.
Choose Healthy Fuels
Contaminated fuel wreaks havoc on an engine. Likewise, poor-quality fuel does the body no favors. Opting for a diet that is rich in a range of nutritious foods will provide your body with the building blocks it needs to run smoothly.
Activate the Brain
Like the body, the brain likes to stay active. Challenging it with opportunities to learn new information, engage in social interaction, play games, or solve puzzles can keep it busy and fight off cognitive decline. The tasks you set for your brain don’t have to be difficult or intellectual to have value. Are you interested in photography? Attend a lecture. Do you enjoy cooking? Watch a video about a new recipe. Do you enjoy family history? Call a loved one to share a story. Are jigsaw puzzles your favorite escape? Join a group, and have fun finding the right pieces.
Remember to Rest
While many people assume that seniors need less sleep, they still need seven to nine hours of sleep nightly according to the National Institute on Aging. Unfortunately, insomnia is common among seniors because of pain, medications, or medical issues. Thankfully, once you realize there’s a problem, you can often work with your doctor to find a solution. A change in medication or a consultation with a sleep specialist can make a world of difference.
Review Your Health With Your Doctor
As people age, their health situation generally gets more complicated. Therefore, no list of spring health tips for seniors would be complete without a reminder for seniors to review their health picture with their doctors. Seniors who see their providers regularly may already feel comfortable. However, those who are overdue can use this as a nudge to schedule a wellness visit. Any senior who finds themselves with concerns about their health should consider reaching out.
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Spring is a time eternally connected with resets. That makes it the perfect time for seniors to evaluate their well-being and consider what they can do to maintain and improve their health.
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