With 2022 right around the corner, many seniors are thinking about their future and brainstorming ways to improve their quality of life. But that can be hard when you’re dealing with chronic pain. So here are some ideas for improving wellness (both physical and mental) that you can incorporate into your daily life as we move into 2022, courtesy of PainFreeOutlet.
Photo by Anna Shvets from Pexels
Get Sufficient Nutrients
Focusing on eating healthy food is on many folks’ to-do list, but generic aspirations like “eat better” can get lost in the hubbub of daily life if the goal isn’t specific enough. Creating small, measurable goals (as opposed to lofty ones) can help you achieve more effectively.
Ask yourself: What kinds of foods do you need to eat more of? Add some specific healthy snack ideas to your list, like “avocado” or “apples.” Do your research on specific nutritional benefits. For instance, if you want to eat less but remain full longer, incorporate more lean proteins into your diet. Protein provides calories and amino acids that help your body build and strengthen bone and muscle. Lean proteins can include things like hard-boiled eggs, turkey, or chickpeas. Poultry, in particular, is a good source of lean protein (take off the skin of your turkey to decrease the fat count). It can even help you stave off depression, thanks to the hormone tryptophan, which helps your body produce serotonin.
Get Moving!
Exercise has been associated with longer life and stress reduction. As we get older, a routine of moderate activity can also help prevent or slow cognitive decline. Some easy exercises you can do indoors include stretching and light yoga or balancing exercises like standing on one foot for several seconds at a time. These improve your coordination and strengthen your muscles, which can reduce the chances of falling.
You can also incorporate technology into your routine. There are countless exercise videos on YouTube devoted to seniors. You can even get your younger family members to bring over their Nintendo Switch for some fun with video games like Ring Fit Adventure, which gives you points for doing certain activities and tailors the game to your level of comfort.
Speaking of moving, seniors often experience a lot of stress trying to maintain a home that’s bigger than they require, now that the kids are moved out. So even though moving itself can be a bit stressful, you might be better in the long run settling into a smaller, easier-to-manage house or apartment.
Stressed Out? Reach for a Cup of Coffee!
As you work to incorporate more activities for boosting physical health into your daily routine, don’t forget to pay attention to your mental wellness, as well. Stress can have devastating impacts on our bodies, including negative effects on the brain and on overall health. You should take stock of your mental health and ensure you are taking steps to alleviate any significant anxieties through activities like meditation, reading, or decluttering.
One way to unwind is to grab your favorite warm beverage of choice. Coffee, in fact, was associated with a 26-percent lower risk of premature death in women and 20 percent in men. It’s also associated with a 30-percent decreased risk of congestive heart failure, along with a host of other benefits.
There is even scientific evidence to indicate that drinking black coffee can improve your metabolism and improve memory function. Make sure the coffee you drink doesn’t contain additives like sugar or milk, though, because increasing sugar will only add processed carbohydrates and complicate the positive impact of the beverage.
While seniors are especially susceptible to chronic pains as they get older, that’s no reason not to enjoy your life to the fullest. After all, with age comes wisdom. So use these tips to get back on the road to wellness for 2022!
PainFreeOutlet offers products, advice, and free exercise videos to those suffering from shoulder, neck, and back pain, as well as joint and muscle pain.
I would like to thank Sheila Olson for providing this informative and well-written guest article. We all would like to enjoy our golden years with a sound body and mind, and Sheila presented a number of valuable pointers for us to use and follow. Please visit her web site at www.fitsheila.com to get great fitness tips!
