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Older and Wiser

 

We all want to stay as healthy as possible, and one way to help make this happen is to incorporate exercise into our lives. Doing so can delay the onset of certain diseases and help us increase our quality of life, thus reducing our reliance on others and allowing us to live our best lives. It's never too late to get started! If you're new to exercising, even a short walk around the block is enough to get you going, get your blood flowing, and warm up your body. Many people also choose to join a gym, where they can partake in strength exercises (such as weight training) and cardio activities (like using the treadmill). But, if that's not for you, don't worry - there are plenty of exercise ideas, programmes, and even DVDs that can be done at home. That being said, some may be limited to what exercises they can do due to medical issues or disabilities, but it's still important to move as much as you're able to and do whatever exercise you can do, on a consistent basis. After all, you will certainly start to feel the positive benefits. However, before beginning any sort of exercise program, it is highly recommended that you check in with your GP first.

 

Ah yes, a good night's sleep. So beneficial for everyone, and it can do wonders for our health. Without going into too much detail, good quality sleep can help us maintain a healthy heart, regulate our metabolism and immune system, reduce stress levels, and help to prevent inflammation. Seven to eight hours is usually considered the necessary amount of time for our bodies to produce the hormones needed while we are sleeping in order to repair damage, and keep our brains functioning properly, allowing us to think, process memories, and stay focused. Of course, sometimes it isn't easy to get a good night's rest, especially as we get older, and it can often lead us to take a nap during the day. In order to get the seven to eight hours of sleep we need, it's best to create a lifestyle that helps promote a good sleep habit. We're not just talking about children, either - adults need bedtime routines too! Aim for a realistic bedtime and wake up time each day (including weekends), and spend the time before bed doing something relaxing, such as reading a book or taking a bath, instead of watching TV or using your tablet or phone. Furthermore, it's a good idea to avoid caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol in the evenings, as well as eating late. Plus, make your bedroom as comfortable as possible, try to keep it dark and cool, and avoid sleeping during the day, if you can. If you do need to take a nap, make sure it's at the same time each day, and try to keep it short.

Rest, of course, is not just when we sleep, it's also when we sit and relax. Relaxation and downtime are every bit as important to our well-being as sleep itself. Putting your feet up in a good quality recliner chair can be one of the most pleasurable experiences, relaxing your muscles and joints. The act of raising your feet also helps with circulation and fluid retention.

 

Yes, the importance of having friends and companions that we can meet up with or chat to on the phone cannot be underestimated. It keeps us interested in the world around us, it helps us to keep in touch with people and prevents us from feeling lonely. Loneliness can be very stressful and can affect us as we age for obvious reasons, it can increase our chances of becoming ill and of having depression. If you find yourself feeling lonely and are having difficulty meeting people, Age UK and their partner charity The Silver Line can offer free telephone friendship services, whereby you can chat to someone over the phone from the comfort of your own home. You can find details of this on their website. If you have reasonable health and can get out and about, it is always worth thinking about volunteering, perhaps in a charity shop or maybe even as a telephone friendship volunteer. You will get to meet and chat with different people and benefit from the social aspect of this. You could also join a club or find a new hobby or interest which can get you out and about meeting new people. Staying in touch has such a beneficial way of helping us maintain our emotional and mental well-being.

In summary, the more we look after our health and well-being, the more we are able to enjoy the benefits of being on this wonderful earth of ours. It can sometimes be a bit depressing when we listen to the news and see the many changes that are going on in society but by and large, life really is what we make of it and to help us to have a positive “spin” on life, we need to keep ourselves in the best shape we can both physically and mentally. If you need help, reach out, there are always plenty of people who are kindhearted and willing to help you. Don’t be “proud”, be glad to be alive and think positive and be proactive. Don’t worry about how “old” you are, age is just a number and we are capable of doing anything we put our minds to. We may be older but we are also wiser, remember that when you’re next trekking up Mount Everest or going to the allotment - whatever floats your boat.