Getting Ready For National Senior Health and Fitness Day (May 25th, 2022)

As we enter the month of May, we are getting ready to celebrate National Senior Health and Fitness Day. Although this day is nationally recognized each year on the last Wednesday of May, it is important to maintain good health all year round. This day should serve as more of a reminder, or ‘health check-in’ that reiterates how important acknowledging overall health is for seniors. Aside from any personal health goals, here are a few important areas of focus to check in on as you gear up to celebrate this year’s Senior Health and Fitness Day.

Getting Active

Maintaining an active lifestyle, especially for seniors, is crucial to maintaining or improving overall health. Regular exercise can help maintain and increase mobility for seniors which can reduce the probability of having to live in a nursing home as well as decrease any chance of mobility-related issues altogether. With so many different ways to exercise, just about any senior should be able to add some fitness into their routine. For many seniors, low-intensity workouts are a popular choice. Low-intensity exercise options include activities such as weight-assisted lifting, cycling, water aerobics, and even walking. These are great choices for any senior because not only are they low-intensity, but they are also low-impact.

If you are up to it, more active options may include weight training or running. Weight training is a great happy medium because this can be performed in both light and high intensity. The issue with incorporating more high-intensity workouts is that they usually require additional equipment. If you find yourself not wanting to go to your local gym to use the weight sets, there are many great options for at-home gym equipment you can have installed right in your own home. For instance, the AbCoaster PS500 will really help you strengthen your core.

Find a form of exercise that you enjoy but also can incorporate into your day-to-day life. Consistency is key in reaping all the benefits an active lifestyle has to offer for seniors.

Protect Your Vision

While exercise is important, there are many other areas of your health that you should take stock in as a senior to ensure you are on the right track to staying healthy. In a study conducted by the Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, one in three seniors has some form of eye disease by the age of 65 that hinders their sight. Your eyes are crucial to living a healthy life as issues with your vision can impact your day-to-day life. Here are some of the best ways that you can stay on top of your vision:

• Maintain a healthy diet
• Don’t smoke or quit smoking
• Stay on top of your eye exams
• Wear protection when in direct sunlight
• Get active

There are lots of great options to get you headed in the right direction but, for immediate results, head to your local ophthalmologist for an eye check-up. Going to a vision specialist is crucial for catching any eye conditions you may be unaware that you have. Besides catching any ailments early on, ophthalmologists can often get you started on a plan that brings relief and recovery to your vision. After your eye appointment, take your doctor’s advice and start addressing your vision health now. If it’s something as simple as just updating your glasses to a better prescription, you can order eyeglasses online now from the comfort of your own house. Preventative action is the key to maintaining your vision as you age.

Eat Clean

The food and nutrients that you put into your body have direct impacts on your mood, energy levels, weight, and can prevent disease. These are all very crucial components for seniors as they age so you must not overlook the power of your diet.

For starters, you need to find out what your maintenance calories are. This is the number of calories your body needs to function at the current weight you are. If you find yourself in the position of trying to lose/gain weight, take this maintenance number and increase/decrease 200-300 calories. To help get you started, try using a calorie counting app so you can instantly see how healthy a certain meal is. This is a healthy way to adjust your weight without putting your body in a total state of shock. In addition, this makes losing/gaining weight very manageable so you can stick with it. Maintaining a balanced diet should be next on your list. Areas of focus should be getting enough fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Staying away from processed foods that cause inflammation within your body is crucial for seniors who may already be battling with issues such as joint problems or sore muscles.

Bottom Line

There are many components that go into living a healthy life. National Senior Health and Fitness Day is not only the perfect opportunity to recognize seniors but also to put that foot forward to leading a healthier life. The most important thing to remember is that whatever route you take, find a way to make it fun and manageable for you to incorporate into your everyday life so that you can stay consistent.