6 Tips to Keep Your Health After 60
How to Keep Hold of Your Health After 60
By Brooke Chaplan
Being 60 in the 21st century is completely different than what elders of the past may have experienced. The list of individuals living well into their 80’s and even 90’s continues to grow. In fact, there is even an expanding demographic of centenarians. This is a result of breakthroughs in medicine and naturopathy offering a longer lease on life. Here are six tips for keeping your health after 60 and how to feel your best well into old age.
Keeping your Health After 60 Tips
Health After 60 Tip #1 – Use a Healthy Diet
Heart disease is the number one killer in society today. Consuming a low fat, high fiber diet will add years to a healthy lifestyle, which is very important for health after 60. To the surprise of many, most people already eat quite a bit of the necessary foods including fruits and vegetables. Vegetables including broccoli, carrots, and all types of greens should be eaten liberally and fruits such as blueberries, bananas, oranges, and strawberries are filled with more antioxidants that complement those in vegetables. For protein, cut back or eliminate red meats and go lean. Skinless chicken and turkey are ideal especially the breast section. Fish of all kinds is a win-win due to the omega fats, which are healthy fats.
Health After 60 Tip #2 – Don’t Skip Dental Visits
For those over age 60 with some or all of their own teeth, visiting the dentist becomes paramount. A good maintenance plan can be developed to ward off gingivitis while strengthening the remaining teeth. Drinking milk or eating foods high in calcium are also a benefit here. There are prescription products with higher fluoride levels that can be used in conjunction with regular toothpaste. Ask your own provider what extra medicines and products might help you. Even denture wearers will need a periodic check for periodontal disease. This could be caused by ill-fitting dentures or not properly cleaning them.
Health After 60 Tip #3 – Maintaining Vision Health After 60
As you age, the elasticity of the eye muscles becomes weaker. The first sign of this phenomenon is the need for reading glasses or a change in prescription. In addition, the cornea becomes cloudy or cataracts may develop. There are many corrective treatments that have made gains in this area as well. Some have even become commonplace with options such as LASIK eye surgery. These procedures correct vision to almost 20/20 health. An annual visit is the best course of action so an ophthalmologist can monitor and manage vision health after 60.
Health After 60 Tip #4 – Stay Active!
Starting at the age of 60, some people decide to retire. Regardless of your specific employment history, it is critical to stay active after 60 with pursuits such as volunteering, leisure hobbies, and sports. The rationale is to find a new normal with a balance that keeps mental and physical health in check. Another option would be to get involved with a religious organization or joining a senior or community center where yoga, tai chi, and swimming are available. Those who can develop a habit of active hobbies and sports can ward off many diseases and stay healthier for longer.
Health After 60 Tip #5 – Get Plenty of Rest
Getting a good night’s sleep and taking naps during the day are healthy ways to recharge the body and restore its cells. The nightly average is usually eight hours, although after 60, a healthy threshold might be higher. Consideration should also be given to ensure your mattress supports the spine and mitigates stress points.
Health After 60 Tip #6 – Learn a New Hobby After 60
To optimize brain health, learn a new hobby after 60. This could be something that was always on the wish list. Fishing, painting, and learning a new language are examples to contemplate. In addition, tasks that entail working with the hands will help combat arthritis. Word puzzles such as crosswords, word finds, and mazes facilitate a lucid memory. Try the variety of free online memory software that allows users to test, and create a custom program to fight conditions such as Alzheimer’s and dementia.
This review highlights the tips that will keep any 60 year old happy and healthy. Living a robust life is easy when you do things in moderation and keep up with good habits.
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About the Author
Brooke Chaplan is a freelance writer and blogger. She lives and works out of her home in Los Lunas, New Mexico. She loves the outdoors and spends most her time hiking, biking and gardening. For more information, contact Brooke via Twitter @BrookeChaplan.
