We have broken down a few key elements of self-care and why they are important below. If you want to improve your overall health, these four areas are a great place to start!
1. Nutrition: A healthy diet is essential to optimal aging. Malnutrition among older adults can affect immune and sensory functions and aggravate the symptoms of chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and osteoporosis. Unhealthy eating can also result in fatigue, digestive problems and anemia.
2. Exercise: Numerous studies have confirmed the benefits of regular physical activity for older adults. An active lifestyle can help improve balance and decrease your risk of chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and even cancer.
3. Sleep: While our sleep habits may change as we get older, a good night’s sleep is always important. There’s no magic number when it comes to the hours of sleep needed, but lack of sleep can affect quality of life and can also be a symptom of health problems such as neurodegenerative diseases and unhealthy weight (and sleep apnea that accompany unhealthy weight).
4. Mental health and wellbeing: Issues relating to peoples’ mental health and wellbeing affect physical health, emotional and social well-being, and overall quality of life. As a result, supporting mental health and wellbeing is a critical consideration for healthy aging.
For more information on each area, click through our resources below to read more.
