Recommended Health Resolutions for Seniors

You don’t have to wait until December to start thinking about how you can make positive changes in your life. And when it comes to your health, it’s always a good time to rethink your resolutions––especially if you’re over the age of 65.

But there’s something about the promise of a new year that can bring sparks of excitement and enthusiasm to your healthcare commitments.

So, we put together a brief list of New Year’s resolutions perfect for seniors who want to make a few positive changes to their health and face the new year with greater confidence.

1. Get more active

One of the most important things seniors can do for their health is to stay active. Even just five minutes of activity a day can lead to significant health benefits, such as better strength and balance, lower pain in joints and muscles, improved mood, and a lower risk for heart disease.

Good activities to try are brisk walking, stretching exercises, ballroom dancing, balance exercises, yoga, and strength training with resistance bands or light weights.

 2. Drink more water

Water is essential to every bodily function. But unfortunately, forty percent of seniors are chronically dehydrated, according to the Los Angeles School of Nursing. This is due to many factors, such as medication side effects, age-related bodily changes, and a reduced ability to sense thirst. Not only can dehydration trigger significant health problems, but it can also complicate existing conditions.

Here are some ways to stay hydrated:

• Keep a water bottle or thermos on hand so you’re never without water.
• Eat foods that contain more water, such as celery, strawberries, and oranges.
• Limit alcohol and salty or sugary foods.
• Incorporate water drinking into your established routines (e.g., a large glass with each meal, including snacks).

 3. Drink less alcohol (if any)

Regular alcohol consumption poses an assortment of health risks, especially for seniors. Even moderate amounts of alcohol can worsen medication side effects, accelerate cognitive decline, reduce balance and coordination, and increase the risks of heart disease and various cancers.

Instead of alcoholic drinks, try herbal teas, flavored sparkling water, or virgin cocktails.

4. Challenge your mind

We all experience minor cognitive decline as we age. But there are things we can do to delay and even prevent more serious conditions that cause disruptive lapses in memory and cognitive function.

Studies show that facing mental challenges can create new neural cell networks in the brain. In other words, you can create new brain cells just by engaging in fun and entertaining activities!

Reading books, doing crossword puzzles, playing brain games, taking educational courses, and participating in arts and crafts all have the potential to boost your brain power and protect you from significant cognitive decline.

 5. Eat more whole foods

What is a whole food exactly? Any food that has undergone little to no change from its natural state before hitting your plate. A few examples are whole grain bread, brown rice, fruits and berries, nuts, and leafy greens.

Eating more whole foods can moderate blood pressure, improve gut health, strengthen the immune system, regulate mood, and reduce your risk for heart disease and cancer.

6. Stay connected

Studies show that social isolation and loneliness can erode your physical and mental health, contributing to higher depression and anxiety rates, risks of heart disease and stroke, and cognitive decline. And studies further show that the risk for loneliness only increases as you age.

So, staying socially and emotionally connected is important for preserving your health and longevity in your later years. While aging poses certain challenges for socialization, there are always options open to you:

• Say yes more often to invitations from family and friends.
• Join a common-interest club or make regular visits to your local senior center.
• Learn to use and engage with electronic devices to maintain contact with friends and loved ones.
• Smile more. Simply smiling at others, even strangers, can increase your sense of connectedness and well-being.
• Read a book. Yes, research shows reading can fight feelings of loneliness by heightening your feelings of empathy and connection.

From all of us at Life Care Centers of America, we wish you the best in the new year and hope you and your loved ones find an abundance of health, happiness, and joy!