Lifestyle Seniors: Your Healthy Life Starts Today 1/4/2021 | By Seniors Guide Staff You don’t have to be in your 20s or 30s to be happy and healthy. No matter your age, you have the power to change your habits, and these changes can propel you into a new era of self-harmony. There are things you can do to take control of your health, your safety, and your life. A healthy life starts by looking forward! The future is uncertain… You don’t know what will happen tomorrow. Maybe you’ll wake up feeling fine, or maybe you’ll catch the flu. The point is, you should have measures in place to deal with the unexpected. If you haven’t reviewed your Medicare plan lately, you should. If you’re on basic Medicare, know that you can sign up for an Advantage plan that covers additional services that original Medicare doesn’t, like vision and hearing. The available Medicare options are different for each state, so make sure you research accordingly before comparing plans. …But you can plan for it Having the right healthcare in place is just one piece of the puzzle. If you want to truly live life on your own terms, you’ll have to decide where you’re going to do that – and Seniors Guide can help you make that decision. If you choose to stay in your own home, you may need to make modifications to make it more comfortable. With age, your vision, hearing, and mobility levels can change, and you likely won’t be quite as able to enjoy your home as you do now unless you make some modifications. Home modifications fall under three general categories. These are safety, convenience, and accessibility. An example of a safety modification includes adding grab bars to the bathtub to prevent falling. An accessibility upgrade would be something along the lines of swapping out door handles for keyless entries. Convenience modifications aren’t always necessary, but make your life easier. A voice-activated smart home hub would be considered a convenience modification. Work your body Exercise is something many seniors sadly neglect. But, you are never too old to work your body. Further to the point, seniors that get enough exercise spend less downtime because of injuries – 25 percent less. While most people think about exercise as taking a walk in the neighborhood, winter is here. This means it might make more sense to find safe indoor exercises for your healthy life, such as doing yoga, resistance training, or even swimming at a local, senior-friendly fitness center. You can also benefit from having a few exercise videos, fitness apps, and other tools available at home for those days the snow, wind, and rain keep you huddled in the warmth. Food for thought You might have had a pretty lax diet up to this point, but each year, your body may have more difficulty extracting nutrients from the food you eat. Stick to high-quality meals that include lean protein, whole grains, low-fat dairy, and produce. Feeding your body well gives it a better chance of fighting off the effects of age. For example, anti-inflammatory foods can help quell the pain of arthritis, and skipping sugary treats after each meal can help you avoid diabetes. Instead of changing your habits all at once, it’s best to make incremental changes that will culminate in a healthy life for all of your days. Don’t forget your friends Social isolation is at almost epidemic levels throughout the US. Seniors often find themselves alone and depressed, and this can lead to a decline in physical health. Don’t underestimate the power of socialization. New England Geriatrics stresses the importance of maintaining a social network, and cites that elderly people tend to live longer and fuller lives when they take part in activities such as attending church with friends and family. If you’re unable to get together during this time, you can maintain communication with your loved ones via an app like Skype or Zoom. Why starting your new business is better than retiring For many, retirement seems like the last step after years of hard work; but studies have shown that it’s unfulfilling and can cause depression. Nowadays, many seniors are looking to starting businesses of their own as a way to stay busy and motivated. While there are plenty of reasons to start your business, we think the most important one is that it’s more enjoyable, and isn’t that what life boils down to? You’ve done the work grind your whole life, so take a while to work on something you actually feel satisfied in. After you’ve planned out what you want in your business, do some research on how to get it established — such as launching a Virginia LLC – and start enjoying yourself. Even a hobby or pastime can be turned into your dream career! Depending on your current health, you don’t have to upheave your habits all at once. Tweaking your routine as needs arise is a great way to give yourself a lifestyle overhaul over the course of many months or years. The healthy life changes you make might just give you the freedom to live your life as you see fit for the long haul. Read More Seniors Guide Staff Seniors Guide has been addressing traditional topics and upcoming trends in the senior living industry since 1999. We strive to educate seniors and their loved ones in an approachable manner, and aim to provide them with the right information to make the best decisions possible.