Maintaining an active lifestyle and healthy habits is always important, but it becomes essential when we enter the sixth decade of existence. Medical and scientific advances help us live longer; It is up to us to live them better, say specialists in healthy aging.
Healthy Aging (HE) consists of promoting and maintaining the functional capacity of older people, that is, ensuring that they are able to be and do what is important to them, and that allows them well-being in old age.
Get and support the Healthy Aging is the goal of the Decade of Healthy Aging (2021-2030)) of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, an initiative that seeks to combine effort and public resources focused on improving the lives of the more than one billion people who are 60 years of age or older.
This figure could increase in the coming years, since according to the World Health Organization, the population worldwide is aging more rapidly than in the past, in a demographic transition that will affect almost all aspects of society.
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The global trend is for people to live longer and some statistical projections predict that the number of people aged 80 or over will triple between 2020 and 2050, according to experts at the Nara health and life insurance company.
The possibility of living longer reflects the progress made in social, economic and health development, especially in the fight against mortality caused by childhood illnesses, motherhood and illnesses. typical of older agesthey assure.
Getting older is another stage of life in which you can continue enjoying yourself, for which it is important to lead an active and healthy life, which reduces the consequences of the passing of the years, according to the specialists of this firm who have compiled a series of tips to age with quality of lifein line with the Decade of Healthy Aging 2021-2030.
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1. PRACTICE EXERCISE
Walking is one of the best optionsas it improves balance, promotes a feeling of security and long-term mobility, reduces the risk of heart disease and helps maintain an adequate body weight.
Other options recommended by Nara are dancing, swimming, practicing Pilates, tai chi or any other physical activity, taking into account that the time and type of exercise must be indicated by the doctor, especially if you have a history of injuries or pathologies to consider. .
2. FEED WELL
Diet is very important due to changes and specific nutritional needs age related.
According to Nara, you must combine protein foods that promote cell regeneration (meat, fish, eggs, dairy products, legumes); foods that provide energy (cereals, fats, oil); and foods that help protect us from diseases (vegetables, fruits rich in vitamin C), in addition to drinking water frequently, even if you are not thirsty.
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3. HAVE PERIODIC MEDICAL CHECKS
When we reach a certain age we need more care and personalized medical attention, depending on our state of health. Therefore, it is advisable to visit specialists regularly and carry out all the necessary medical check-ups to prevent diseases, according to specialists.
4. TAKE CARE OF YOUR MIND
Social activity is an essential aspect for health, according to Nara experts, who recommend meet friends and familytalk, read, carry out cultural or creative activities, which promote well-being and mood, reducing neuronal loss.
Try to be mentally active, have a positive and optimistic attitude, and never lose curiosity,” they emphasize.
5. MAINTAIN CORRECT HYGIENE
Many health problems, such as infections or oral or dermatological disorders, are the result of poor hygiene.
Proper oral cleaning helps prevent gingivitis and periodontitis, while hydrating the skin helps protect it from external aggressions and slows down its aging, they explain.
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6. ENJOY A RESTful SLEEP
Sleeping and resting adequately has multiple benefits, such as reducing inflammatory conditions, strengthen the immune systemrelieve stress, reduce obesity and reduce the risks of suffering from dementia, according to specialists.
Although older people usually have frequent awakenings and the need to go to the bathroom during the night, it is advisable that they try to respect rest during the night, they warn.
7. AVOID THE RISKS OF CIGARETTES
Smoking contributes substantially to the appearance of oncological, cardiovascular, respiratory and chronic diseases, according to Nara, who emphasizes that older people present a greater risk of the harmful and toxic consequences of tobacco, so they need to reduce their consumption, although it is preferable to eliminate it. completely.
8. TAKE CARE OF EYE HEALTH
The eye is the first organ to show clinical signs of aging, they explain.
Stop smoking, eat foods that contain vitamins C and E, zinc, lutein, zeaxanthin and omega-3 fatty acids, use artificial tears to prevent dry eyes, regularly engage in physical activity and protect your eyes from the sun’s rays with glasses. approved sun protection, are basic recommendations to maintain good visual health.
It is also important to clean your eyelids well to avoid blepharitis and maintain normal blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels, they add.
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9. STIMULATE THE NEURONS
The brain should not retire, but continue working. There are very simple routines that allow you to exercise and strengthen it, to slow down the effects of aging and maintain autonomy and self-esteem, such as those linked to language,” according to the specialists of the medical insurer.
Reading, writing short texts and completing word games – such as crossword puzzles or word searches – are ideal for improving verbal skills and preventing the risk of cognitive impairment in older peoplethey assure.
They also recommend performing mathematical operations mentally, completing sudoku and puzzles, playing musical instruments, and playing chess, dominoes, and cards.
10. PROMOTE HUMOR AND SOCIAL LIFE
When we laugh and have a good mood, cholesterol levels are reduced in our body and endorphins are secreted, the so-called “hormones of happiness”, whose effects have an impact on the limbic, endocrine, digestive, cardiovascular and respiratory systems, according to Nara.
From this firm they advise laughing, carrying out artistic tasks that promote creativity and stimulate the imagination, maintaining or recovering hobbies that have been abandoned due to lack of time, and enrolling in social and cultural activities that interest us and make us enjoy.
Personal relationships, with family or friends, are very important to encourage a positive psychological state. Conversing, sharing impressions or activities such as yoga or tai chi also positively influence the mood” they conclude.
(With information from EFE)
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