Once you enter into your fifties, you’ll see noticeable changes to your health and body. You may even have hip or joint pain that prevents you from doing the same activities you did just a year earlier. However, the good news is that you can enjoy a better quality of life.
Eliminate Bad Habits
As you grow older, your body no longer repairs itself as quickly. So in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle, you need to dispose of your bad habits. Smoking cigarettes and consuming alcohol in large quantities is unhealthy at any age, but it’s especially harmful to older people. If you need help kicking the habit, you can see your doctor to find out what resources or treatment options are available.
Finding Comfort
If you are dealing with reduced mobility caused by hip or chronic joint pain, inactivity will only make it worse. Do your best to remain as physically active as possible. You can start slow by taking a short brisk walk and then work towards increasing the walk slowly. Or, you can swim at the Y, get a body massage once a month or take a yoga class that will also help to stretch the muscles and alleviate pain.
Modifying Your Home
Climbing stairs and bending or lifting may prove to be troublesome and risky for your health. If you have a laundry room and a spare bedroom downstairs, it will be more beneficial to occupy the one downstairs. Additionally, replacing older furniture such as a classic recliner with a chair that you can use to sit, relax or even sleep in, like the www.perfectsleepchair.com, helps keep you comfortable and mobile.
Installing grab bars in the bathroom and night lights in your bedroom, the kitchen, the bathroom, and the hallway will allow you to see should you wake during the middle of the night. Additionally, clearing the clutter away from entryways and removing or securing area rugs can prevent injuries.
Maintain a Healthy Diet
Once the children leave home for good, you only have to cook for two instead of many; this can cause you to opt for eating out more often. Unfortunately, many of the ingredients in take-out dinners aren’t on the healthy side. Instead, prepare your favorite healthy dishes and then create portion sizes and freeze the extra.
Protect Yourself Outdoors
While you’re not yet a member of the 80+ club, going outdoors without protection can lead to burns and possible skin cancer. Make sure to apply sunscreen not only to your body, but also to your lips, and wear sunglasses to protect your eyes. If you plan to stay outdoors for any length of time, you will also need to have a bottle or two of water on hand.
Get Enough Sleep
As you grow older you may begin to experience many restless nights. It may be due to medications you take, eating late, or your hormones. The good news is that getting into a nightly routine will help you to fall asleep. Try taking a bath with lavender or chamomile. It will instantly bring a sense of calm and the bath will relax your body. Darkness also promotes sleep, so if you usually sleep with the television on, try turning it off a half hour or so before you retire for the evening.
Moisturize Your Skin
When you enter into your fifties you may begin to notice that your skin is not as firm or tight as before. And, it may start looking similar to crepe paper. In order to keep your skin soft, firm, and supple, you will need to remain active, maintain a healthy weight, and moisturize your skin daily.
The fifties mark for people is no longer the end of your life. In fact, many people live well into their 80s and 90s. If you take the necessary steps to sustain health and comfort, you can expect to enjoy a happy and fulfilling future.
