Active Living: Remaining Young at Heart

By Michele Blandino

We’re all familiar with the adage that age is merely a state of mind. And while this might be easy to go along with in our younger years, the changes that our bodies and indeed, our minds, go through as we age causes us to doubt the validity of this claim.

Certainly, debilitating conditions such as arthritis and Parkinson’s Disease will take their physical tolls regardless of our efforts to remain spry and nimble, but what about those who are lucky enough to enter their senior years relatively healthy – what can they do to help keep themselves feeling and acting young? Fortunately, there are a number of things.

Safety First

One of the first things you should do is to take a good look around your home, workplace or other areas where you spend a good deal of time to identify any potential hazards. For example, items such as throw rugs, wet floors, and electrical cords can all potentially cause catastrophic falls. Because it is easy to trip and fall over even the smallest items such as shoes or books, you should be sure to keep your floors cleared of these types of things. As an added precaution, place nightlights in hallways and other dark areas that you may pass through during the night. Finally, consider installing some safety bars in your bathroom to help you retain your balance as you enter and exit the bathtub or shower.

Sleep Well

While getting adequate rest is always a good idea, it becomes even more critical as we age. At the same time, it’s important to realize that your sleeping patterns may change significantly as you age. There are a number of things that can affect a person’s sleep including any medications they might be taking, depression and anxiety. Additionally, some people may find their tolerance for caffeinated products such as coffee or soda reduces as they age making it necessary for them to cut back on their consumption of these types of things.

When getting a restful night’s sleep becomes difficult, it may be necessary to compensate by taking an afternoon nap. Maintaining a regular bedtime schedule and awakening time may also help you sleep better. Getting regular exercise may help too while reaping additional benefits such as weight loss and overall fitness. Regardless of what steps you take, recognizing the need for extra rest will not only help you feel physically better, it will also enable you to remain mentally alert.

Mental Sharpening

One of the biggest complaints of many seniors is that they don’t feel as mentally sharp as they did in their younger years. While there may be a certain amount of validity to this, there certainly are things that can be done to help keep you feeling in control. For example, many seniors turn to using lists and written appointment calendars to help them keep track of things. Establishing routines such as keeping your car keys and reading glasses in the same place will help to keep you from misplacing things. Finally activities such as reading, crossword puzzles and certain card games will help to keep you mentally alert.