Healthy Tips for Aging in America

We all age. If you are blessed to live to see a long life, the aging process comes with it. The Bible states, “Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained in the way of righteousness.” (Proverbs 16:31, NIV) Growing older is a blessing. But we also must remember that our bodies are not our own. They belong to the Holy Spirit and should be treated as a temple. Normal wear and tear is inevitable. Neglect and self-harm are not. You must make some lifestyle changes to be healthy while aging in America.

Tips for Aging in America

Breaking bad habits can be challenging if you have stuck with them for 40, 50, or 60+ years. If you want to live a long life in America, then you must learn to replace bad habits with good ones. You can do this by habit stacking.

Habit stacking is adding a healthy habit to an established habit. For example, if you want to start taking a multivitamin to ensure your nutritional bases are covered, try taking the vitamin after you brush your teeth in the morning. The established habit of brushing your teeth will cue your mind that it is time to take your multivitamin.

The following is a list of healthy tips for aging in America that you can habit stack into your current routine.

Keep moving

Dick Van Dyke wrote a book titled, Keep Moving. The actor believes that as we age, our muscles stiffen. He prescribes staying active and making movement a regular part of your day. Light cardio, flexibility, and balancing activities are all essential to protect from falls, muscle and bone loss, and a “stiffening” of the arteries and joints.

Be strong

Older people, particularly women, shy away from weights and body-weight exercises. However, resistance training actually protects your bones and strengthens muscles, including the smaller muscles that help support the spine, hips, and knees.

We lose muscle mass at an accelerated rate after the age of sixty. To prevent this, speak to your physician about clearance to lift weights. Consult with a personal trainer about lifting properly and maintaining form. Then aim to lift weights at least twice a week.

Eat well

Your body responds to the nutrients you provide it. You may feel sluggish, constipated, and bloated if you consume fast food and ultra-processed foods. You may also have nutritional deficiencies. However, if you feed your body well with lean proteins, whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, and healthy fats, the amino and mineral-rich food will nourish your body and brain as it works like medicine to help heal and prevent problems.

Sleep well

If you are having difficulty staying asleep at night, you are not alone. Melatonin, the brain chemical responsible for helping you sleep, decreases as we age. To combat this, you can ask your doctor about a melatonin supplement or try a nightly routine to trigger your mind that it is time to unwind. Create a short routine that will be easy to remember. Perhaps you could brew a cup of herbal (decaf) tea after dinner and sip while reading a book. Try to avoid screens for at least two hours before bed.

Get regular checkups

Annual screenings, lab work, and regular checkups are critical to staying healthy and catching issues early. Many cancers can be beaten by early detection. To make it easier to remember screenings, such as colonoscopies and mammograms, schedule screenings during your birth month.

Conquer vices

Smoking, vaping, alcohol consumption, and drug use can lead to early death. These habits increase your risk for developing fatal conditions, such as cirrhosis of the liver, cancers of the lung, stomach, and liver, cognitive decline, and COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease). Talk to your physician about the best way to conquer these vices. Some people can stop immediately, while others require a tapering down or medication.

Nurture social connections

Aging in America healthily requires nurturing friendships, forming new connections, and socializing. Don’t lose contact with friends and family. Reach out to others. If you belong to a church, serve in a ministry, and attend meetings. Check with your local community center about groups specific to seniors.

Manage your mental health with Christian counseling

Staying physically healthy while aging in America is important, as is your mental health. Staying sharp, challenging your mind, learning new things, and managing your emotions are essential to your well-being.

Contact the number above or complete the contact form to speak to a representative who will connect you to a Christian counselor for an assessment. We would love to help you in this season of your life. The best is yet to come.