Health Tips for Aging Gracefully

Health & Wellness Tips For Your Golden Years

As people get older, their health care needs continue to change, making it imperative to make the necessary lifestyle changes to enjoy their golden years. In light of Healthy Aging Month, the health experts at St. John’s share some tips to help you stay happy and healthy as you age.

Stay Physically Active

Staying physically active as you age isn’t only a way to support your health and wellness, but it helps you to look and feel better too! It is recommended that older adults should aim to get at least two hours and 30 minutes each week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity.

Some moderate-intensity physical activities to add to your routine include:

• Swimming
• Hiking
• Yoga
• Gardening
• Dancing

Be Mindful of Your Diet

When building a balanced diet, we typically focus on cutting sugar and fast food, but it’s also important to know what kind of foods you should be working into your diet. When building your meals each day, try to work in the following measurements of each food group:

• Fruits: 1-2 cups.
• Vegetables: 2-3 cups.
• Whole grains: 5-8 ounces.
• Protein: 5-6.5 ounces.
• Oils and fats: 5-7 teaspoons.

Quit Smoking

Smoking and using tobacco products is the number one preventable cause of chronic health conditions like cardiovascular disease, lung disease, and most forms of cancer. After several years of quitting, you can reduce your risk levels for developing these chronic illnesses to that of a nonsmoker.

Look After Your Mental Health

While we often stress the importance of looking after our mental health and wellness as we get older, looking after your mental health is just as important. Many elderly adults tend to self-isolate, which can lead to feelings of loneliness and depression. Rather than spending a bulk of your time alone, try some of these tips to help give your mental health a boost:

• Spend time with friends and family.
• Talk to a professional about your thoughts and feelings.
• Avoid being overly critical of yourself.
• Try mindfulness and meditation.
• Try to start journaling.
• Avoid alcohol and tobacco products.
• Try to get 7-8 hours of rest each night.

If you have additional concerns, be sure to reach out to your primary care doctor to discuss your unique health condition.

Internal Medicine in Jackson, Wilson, and Teton County

From cardiovascular health concerns to injuries and general illnesses, our internal medicine offices are here to openly listen to your concerns and work with you to achieve overall better health and wellness. Visit our website to see the types of primary care we provide or to find a doctor, today!