Not everyone is the same when they reach seventy – some are the picture of health (at least for their age), while others have the various health problems which can come with that age. Whether you are one of the former group or one of the latter, or whether you have an in home caregiver or live independently, there is a lot you can do to keep up your health and possibly prolong it as well. This article will give a list of the ways in which you can help yourself feel better at whatever age.
-
Find a Purpose
Something research has shown us is that the best indicator of someone being healthy in the latter years of their life is having a sense of purpose. In most of Western society, unfortunately, older people are not seen as being useful or valuable in any way, and so are often shunted aside from the daily life. Cultures which revere age, and the wisdom which comes with it, have older people who are much more well-adjusted than in other societies, since they have a place in the on-going society.
Try to find a way to inject a sense of purpose into your life, be it through becoming involved in the community in some way, becoming more involved in your religion, or through some form of volunteering.
-
Get Enough Sleep
There is a pervading myth which says that, as you get older, you need much less sleep. This couldn’t be further from the truth, and in fact older people require more or less the same amount of sleep as younger people do. The myth possibly arose from the fact that changing circumstances in someone’s life – medications, stresses, illnesses – can make it difficult for older people to get to sleep.
People in their seventies should make sleep a priority – try and keep to a schedule with no naps, and regular hours. Getting fresh air will help, as will exercise. A proper amount of sleep means that you will have enough energy to face the day!
-
Avoid Falls
As you get older, you will find yourself becoming more and more unsteady, leading to falls and general instability. The frailer we are, the more dangerous falls are, so it is important to take steps to avoid the potential for falling as much as possible. Risk assess your own house to determine what has the potential to cause a fall, and take steps to change them. Hold onto handrails whenever possible, and take up a form of exercise which stresses balance, which will help reduce the risk of falling.
-
Keep your Brain Active
You needs to keep your brain active as you get older, otherwise you risk losing your mental acuity. If you have been mentally active all your life, then keep it up; otherwise, begin with some small mental challenges such as Sudoku, crosswords, or other puzzles of the same kind. Once you have mastered them, it might be time to move onto more complex challenges such as learning an entirely new language.