Wellness Month for Seniors: Tips for Healthy Aging in Bullhead

According to AARP Research, overall self-reported happiness grows with age, with a spike among 70-year-olds. Relationships, stress, and wellness can impact your happiness and quality of life. This Wellness Month, consider making changes to your routine to join these happy, healthy seniors.

Not sure how to enhance your lifestyle in Bullhead City, AZ? Read on to discover effective senior health habits that can improve your well-being and quality of life today!

Healthy Aging Routines

According to a Whole-Person Health Poll conducted on behalf of the American Osteopathic Association, 71% of Americans rate their health as good or excellent. When asked where their lives need improvement, the majority cited physical health (42%).

Effective healthy aging routines, however, require a holistic approach. Your assisted living lifestyle should consider:

• Regular exercise
• A balanced diet and hydration
• Sufficient sleep
• Stress management
• Social engagement

Here are a few ways you can improve your routine for senior wellness in AZ.

Exercise

According to the CDC, older adults should engage in 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity and two strength training sessions a week. Aerobic physical activities involve cardio. They'll get your heart beating faster.

Aerobic physical activities include:

• Walking
• Running
• Hiking
• Dancing
• Active yoga (Vinyasa or power yoga)
• Water aerobics
• Biking/cycling 

Muscle-strengthening activities involve repetition. You'll repeat an activity, like lifting a weight, eight to 12 times, and this counts as a set. You can complete two or three sets of each exercise per workout.

Muscle-strengthening activities include:

• Some yoga postures
• Using your body weight for resistance (sit-ups)
• Working out with resistance bands
• Lifting weights
• Digging in a garden

Try adding balance activities to your routine. You can use a wobble board or stand on one leg. Improving your balance can reduce your risk of a trip and fall accident.

Explore your senior living community's fitness program to join engaging exercise classes. Try participating with friends. They'll keep you motivated!

Here are the potential benefits of exercising regularly:

• Helps prevent bone loss
• Improves sleep quality
• Reduces feelings of anxiety
• Relieves osteoarthritis pain
• Boosts immunity
• Lowers blood pressure
• Reduces the risk of dementia and Alzheimer's
• Improves mood
• Reduces the risk of dementia
• Lowers the risk of eight cancers
• Helps people live independently longer
• Reduces the risk of weight gain

Eat Healthy

Eating a healthy, balanced diet may help:

• Strengthen bones
• Lower the risk of type 2 diabetes
• Strengthen muscles
• Boost immunity
• Keep skin, teeth, and eyes healthy
• Improve digestive function
• Lower the risk of heart disease
• Promote the maintenance of a healthy weight

To follow a healthy, balanced diet, prioritize eating whole foods. You can find healthy, nutritious dishes through your senior living community's dining program.

Turn meals into an opportunity to socialize. Ask friends to join you to make mealtimes more enjoyable. Eating with friends may encourage you to maintain healthy habits.

Try to reduce your intake of packaged and processed foods. These foods are high in refined carbs and added sugars, which trigger inflammation. Inflammation is associated with heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic conditions. 

Sleep

Getting adequate sleep is important for your physical health and emotional well-being.Try to get seven hours of sleep each night.

Sleeping helps the body heal. It could help you:

• Maintain a healthy weight
• Lower your risk of chronic conditions
• Improve your heart health
• Reduce stress
• Improve your mood
• Stay at a healthy weight
• Improve your memory and attention

If you're struggling to fall and stay asleep, consult a doctor. They may determine that you have an underlying condition or sleep disorder.

Otherwise, try to improve your sleep environment by:

• Avoiding caffeine and alcohol before bed
• Exercising regularly
• Eating a healthy diet
• Keeping your room quiet
• Turning off electronics 30 minutes before bed
• Sticking to a consistent sleep schedule

Consider moving into a comfortable senior living community to improve your sleep hygiene.

Emotional Health Seniors

Seniors are more susceptible to poor emotional health due to:

• Alcohol or substance abuse
• Poor diet or malnutrition
• Physical disability
• Medication side effects
• Long-term illnesses
• Changes in environment
• Losing loved ones
• Dementia-causing conditions

Here are a few ways you can improve your emotional health.

Meditate

Meditation involves focusing on the present while directing your mind away from distracting thoughts. You can use different techniques, such as drawing your attention to your breath or a mantra. Meditating may help:

• Improve your emotional resilience
• Calm your mind
• Enhance self-awareness
• Offer mental clarity
• Improve your mindfulness
• Reduce stress
• Improve concentration and focus
• Improve your sleep

To meditate, find a quiet spot. Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. Focus on how the air feels as it travels through your body.

If your mind wanders, draw your attention back to your breath. Practice this regularly. You can find classes through your senior living community's events and activities calendar.

Enjoy Hobbies

Explore fun, engaging activities, such as:

• Dancing
• Playing an instrument
• Painting or drawing
• Quilting or knitting
• Volunteering
• Participating in a book or movie club
• Walking or hiking
• Gardening

These activities can add joy to your life. You'll gain a sense of accomplishment as you finish projects and develop new skills. Explore your senior living community's events and activities calendar for more hobbies. 

Support Groups

If you're struggling with addiction, grief, or an illness, turn to your community. Joining a support group can help you emotionally process and navigate the situation. It could:

• Reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness
• Offer emotional support and validation
• Provide coping skills
• Increase your knowledge
• Ease anxiety and depression 

Cognitive Senior Wellness AZ

Add puzzles and other cognitive exercises to your routine, including:

• Continuing education classes
• Crossword puzzles
• Trivia games
• Card games
• Sudoku

These activities can stimulate critical thinking and problem-solving skills, improving your neuroplasticity. 

Celebrate Wellness Month in AZ

This Wellness Month, don't neglect your physical, emotional, and mental well-being. Instead, use these senior health habits to make positive changes. Remember, moving into a senior living community can further enhance your lifestyle after retirement.

Look no further than Davis Place. We offer Assisted Living, plus signature programs like Vibrant Life and Elevate Dining.

Seniors can experience a unique lifestyle that encourages them to maintain their independence in comfort. Contact us now to schedule your tour!