If you read a dozen books on how to stay healthy as you age, you may get plenty of different answers and viewpoints. Nevertheless, you can’t argue with certain solutions that are tried and true.
For instance, trying to de-stress whenever possible is a big “to do” related to how to stay healthy as you age. Why? Stress can land you in lots of turmoil. It can also lead you to the doctor’s office. About a third of patients say they’ve gone to a physician because of a stress-linked condition. Besides, stress can also lead to you to make poor decisions, have negative effects on your personal relationships, and lower your overall quality of life.
How do you get as stress-free as you can? For some people, it’s as simple as a little self-care now and then. This could include taking the day off of work for a mental health refresh or a staycation. For others, it’s seeing a therapist on a regular basis for talk therapy and other treatments. That’s the best part of de-stressing: you get to design what works best for your needs!
Beyond trying to lower your stress level, you can undertake several other practices and activities to make sure you get the benefits of understanding how to stay healthy as you age. Below are a few proven techniques that work for people trying to get healthier and ward off signs of chronic disease and other conditions.
Stay on Top of Your Dermatological Health
A dermatologist is a doctor who typically specializes in treating problems related to the skin and hair. For instance, if you have serious acne, you may want to go to a dermatologist. If you have a rash that broke out that isn’t shingles, a dermatologist could help you solve that problem as well.
The dermatologist can also help you steer clear of developing certain kinds of skin cancers. Dermatologists regularly remove moles and suspicious spots that could become cancerous and metastasize. They will also check your skin for other problems like rosacea or eczema.
Do you need to have an issue to go to a dermatologist? Not necessarily. Maybe you just don’t like the way that your skin looks now that you’re in your 40s, 50s, or beyond. Both men and women have begun opting for dermatological treatments including Botox. When injected below the surface of the skin, Botox paralyzes the nerves, causing the skin to take on a less wrinkled appearance. When applied carefully and judiciously, Botox can remove tension and worry lines from places like the sides of the lips and throughout the forehead.
Other cosmetic dermatology solutions may involve laser treatments and even non-surgical methods of reducing fat in unwanted places like the belly, hips, buttocks, and thighs. By talking with your dermatologist, you can figure out which options make the most sense for your needs.
A tip on how to stay healthy as you age using dermatology: you’ll want to find a dermatologist you can trust. Although online reviews can be helpful, consider asking friends, coworkers, and loved ones for recommendations. They’ll be likely to give you excellent options, although it may take months to get into a successful dermatologist’s office.
Check Your Hearing on a Regular Basis
Has someone in your household told you that you turn up the television too loud while binge-watching Netflix? Do you keep feeling like your earbuds seem to be quieter all the time? Is it nearly impossible for you to understand certain conversations over the phone, or in crowded places?
These can all be indicators that you may need help with your hearing. Therefore, you’ll probably want to schedule regular hearing exams. This isn’t to suggest that you’re somehow “ancient” if you require a hearing device. Many people have trouble hearing, even when they’re still in the prime of life. Blame the problem on everything from listening to loud music for hours on end to working in busy, loud factory environments.
Here’s the good news: even if you do need some kind of hearing aid, you won’t have to worry about everyone noticing. Today’s hearing aids are surprisingly discreet. In fact, no one will probably know you’re wearing one unless you tell them.
Another tip on how to stay healthy as you age: did you realize that you can purchase hearing aids that sync up with your Bluetooth? It’s true! Today’s hearing aid manufacturers have truly gone high-tech. Be sure to ask your hearing doctor, or audiologist, about the many choices on the market today. One may be right for you, and it’ll make you feel great without making you feel old.
Protect Your Dental Health
Taking care of your health doesn’t just involve taking care of what you can see when you look in the mirror. It also includes taking good care of your teeth and gums.
Think about it: your mouth plays an important role. You use it to do everything from hold a conversation with a colleague to bite into a gooey, juicy hamburger. But without proper care, you could be at risk of losing precious teeth over time. In fact, many adults continue to lose teeth over their lifetimes. As a result, they may someday have no choice but to turn to dentures or dentures held in place with dental implant devices.
If the thought of being without teeth or allowing the health of your mouth to go downhill disturbs you, take heart. You can always start going to a dental provider, even if you haven’t seen the inside of a dental clinic in years or maybe decades.
Start your search for a dentist by seeking out the highest rated dentists in your area. Today, most dentists will have online reviews as well as robust websites. Scour through their sites to see which dentist seems perfect for you. For instance, you may want a family dentist so your whole household can go to one dental practice. Or, you may want a dentist who focuses on restorative dentistry because your teeth and gums aren’t in the best shape.
Whatever your choice, set up an appointment and go. You’ll be happy you did.
Another tip on how to stay healthy as you age: are you overwhelmed by the fear of going to the dentist? Your reaction is a common one. It’s called dental phobia or dental anxiety. Many dentists offer sedation dentistry techniques to help you get treatments without stress. Talk to your dentist about the many options you have to overcome your worries about sitting in the dentist’s chair.
Opt for Pain Management Treatments, Including Safer Alternatives to Pharmaceuticals
Pain management is a way of life for some people. Take the worker who got hurt on the job, for instance. The worker may have been lifting heavy boxes, only to experience a herniated disc. Even if the worker received workers’ compensation and got somewhat better, the pain might be there for life. The same could hold true for a car accident victim who suffered a serious injury that could never fully heal without some level of discomfort.
Of course, pain management has its downsides. Some patients end up getting addicted to their medications or requiring more and more of the same pharmaceutical to control their painful responses. You might even be one of them. If you are, you deserve to consider alternative pain management solutions aside from harsh medicines that may become addictive.
What are some alternative pain management treatments? Some patients have found relief in CBD oil purchased at cannabis dispensaries. Others swear by non-invasive measures like regular chiropractic adjustments. You may want to try some different alternatives to see which work for you. Be aware that your healthcare insurance may not cover alternatives to pain management medications. Consequently, you’ll pay out of pocket for those treatments.
Another tip on how to stay healthy as you age: are you interested in weaning yourself off pain medications that you’ve been taking for a long time? Always talk with a trusted physician. A physician can help you successfully scale back on the drugs you take. Without a doctor’s help, you could end up feeling much worse and maybe even doing yourself harm.
Set Aside Time to Talk About Later-Life Assisted Living Arrangements
You probably aren’t interested in discussing or considering assisted living facilities, particularly if you’re still working or just entering retirement. Nevertheless, take some time to think about what you want your life to look like in a few decades.
Assisted living locations aren’t like they used to be. Many are quite modern, exciting, and eventful. In other words, they’re places to enjoy life, not to reminiscence about times gone by.
As you talk more about assisted living and long-term health care needs, go online to look up assisted living ratings. You’ll find tons of communities with varying reviews. Bookmark a few and make plans to gather more information. You don’t have to decide right away what you want to do later. But you’ll be happier and healthier if you start the planning ahead of time.
Another tip on how to stay healthy as you age: feeling like you aren’t interested in assisted living? Consider how you might be able to age in place at your home. Contact a contractor to discuss ways to make your home more friendly as you age, such as adding ramps or grab bars. Simple changes in the layout of your current property could enable you to stay put even as you get older.
Be on the Lookout for Your Eyes
Over time, everyone tends to need bifocals, even if you’ve always had perfect 20/20 vision. Plus, other eye-related conditions and diseases can creep up, including glaucoma and astigmatism. That’s why it’s important to go to an optometrist.
Are you new to visiting optometrists? You’ll be asked to go through some tests to determine the accuracy of your vision and the health of your eyes. You may also have drops placed in your eyes. The drops will cause your pupils to dilate, making it easier for the optometrist to see inside each of your eyeballs. Be aware that with your pupils dilated, you may not be able to drive easily. Having a driver on hand can protect you from getting into an avoidable car accident.
Another tip on how to stay healthy as you age: even if you’re sure that you’ve fixed your bifocal problem by purchasing reading glasses at your local pharmacy, schedule time to visit the optometrist. The last thing you want to find out is that you have a disease of the eye that could have been prevented by a few appointments.
Take Advantage of Flu Shots and More
Preventative care measures are typically covered by healthcare insurance providers, as well as Medicare. As a result, you should avail yourself of prevention-related steps like getting a flu shot every year or, if you’re a female, getting a mammogram when prescribed by your doctor.
Prevention really is the best way to stay your best. Plus, prevention treatments and diagnostics can catch problems early. The earlier you’re aware of an issue, the better your chance of overcoming it.
Another tip on how to stay healthy as you age: since you’re probably going to get the same preventative care every year or every few years, write them in your digital or paper calendar. You won’t forget them, thanks to your reminders.
Pay Attention to How You Feel About the Way You Look
Is how attractive you feel related to staying healthy? Absolutely. When you like what you see in the mirror, you have a greater tendency to be confident in all sorts of situations. Sadly, many people feel uncomfortable with the way they look, especially as they age.
If you’re starting to dislike your appearance, you can do a few things to make yourself feel better. First, pay attention to general grooming. Get your hair styled from time to time, and occasionally purchase some trendy, yet age-appropriate wardrobe selections.
Secondly, lose any excess weight. Carrying around too much fat can be hard on your joints and muscles, anyway. Yes, it’s tougher to lose weight as you enter each new decade of life. Regardless, getting leaner is worth the trouble.
Finally, consider making personal improvements that you’ve put off for years. For example, you might have always disliked your smile. Perhaps now is the time to pursue cosmetic dental treatment in the form of teeth whitening, clear braces, or porcelain veneers.
One last tip on how to stay healthy as you age: remember that aging gracefully is normal and beautiful. You don’t have to change yourself if you feel confident as-is! However, if you want a little ego boost, feel free to make a few changes so you’ll love your image in photos.
