Enjoying a healthy lifestyle, the key for the elderly to stay in shape

Having a fit body until old age is the hope and dream of most people. As people age, changes in function and resistance seem difficult to avoid, but they can be anticipated. One of the keys to staying fit for the elderly is to live and enjoy life in the right path, namely by a healthy lifestyle.

Fitness is important so that the elderly can enjoy life

Quoted from the journal published in 2019, "Health is the most important part of a quality of life, the rest is just an addition."

The presumption of health for the elderly is usually determined by fitness and the ability to remain active or from impaired physical, mental, and cognitive health. Therefore, fitness is the main key for the elderly to enjoy life.

Fitness is closely related to excellent physical condition. Some things that can describe a fit body such as strong bones, maintaining stamina, so that it does not have joint problems that can limit the space for movement.

With a physical condition that is still fit at an old age, you can do more various activities without experiencing health problems. For example, the elderly can spend time on vacation, playing with family, and engaging in popular hobbies. This includes a way to enjoy life.

In addition, mental health also plays a role in the health and wellness of the elderly. Reporting from Mental Health America, happiness is an important part of health. Impaired mental health can easily lead to stress, depression, and other mental disorders. If experienced in the long term, this mental disorder is a risk factor for various types of diseases, such as heart disease, obesity and digestive disorders.

Happy people can not only enjoy life, but also can prolong life. This is evidenced by the published journal U.S. National Library of Medicine 2015 entitled Social Science & Medicine.

The study found that groups who reported being "very happy" had the lowest risk of dying. This number was 6% lower than the "quite happy" group and 14% lower than the "unhappy" group.

When they are happy, the elderly will be more enthusiastic about doing various activities. This, directly and indirectly, can help improve fitness because they stay active and reduce the risk of health problems. Even seniors can have a fun day.

What can older people do to enjoy life and stay fit?

The elderly need to adopt a healthy lifestyle that includes physical and mental health conditions. To implement this, here are some ways and tips that are expected to help the elderly in carrying out their daily life.

Have hobbies and a comfortable immediate environment

The situation amid the Covid-19 Pandemic requires everyone to spend more time at home. Currently, it is important for the elderly to find and carry out various favorite activities or hobbies in order to keep the brain stimulating to work. Some activities to spend time at home, such as starting gardening, moderate exercise by walking, and painting.

In fact, research shows having a pet can help increase happiness. Elderly people can keep cats or canaries that are easy to care for. In addition, a pleasant and comfortable environment around the house is no less important.

Pay attention to food intake

Enjoying life doesn't mean you can eat what you want. This actually applies to all ages, but emphasized for the elderly.

A healthy diet means eating a balanced diet. Reporting from the official U.S. website Department of Health and Human Services, here are some tips on managing food intake.

Prioritize high-fiber foods such as whole wheat bread, dark green vegetables (such as spinach and broccoli), and fruits.
Reduce or avoid fried foods. Choose dishes that are processed by grilling, steaming, or boiling.
Increase intake of nutritional supplements such as fortified milk. Choose milk that has complete content, such as vitamin D, prebiotics and probiotics, calcium and protein - especially those that are beneficial for the elderly, namely whey protein.
Make sure to always maintain water levels in the body.

Routine movement and physical activity

The various health benefits of regular physical activity are:

Helps improve sleep quality,
Increase appetite
Reducing the risk of heart disease
Improve fitness, strength, and body balance.

If you haven't exercised in a long time, start with light exercise or movement and gradually increase the difficulty level with each exercise.

The Australian Physical Activity Guidelines encourage seniors to do at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity exercise every day. No need to exercise immediately for 30 minutes, do it gradually like three times a day for 10 minutes. Types of exercise that can be done by the elderly, such as walking, cycling, gymnastics, or jogging.

The elderly need to enjoy a healthy lifestyle so that the body remains in shape. Nutritious food intake, mental health, and physical are the main keys. A fit physical condition has a positive impact on health because it can reduce various health risks and can prolong life.