Take Steps to Be the Healthiest Version of Yourself

Life is about a series of choices”and as we get older, we can choose to build healthy habits that contribute to a longer, healthier life or make less healthy choices that can lead to illness or injury.

Don’t feel like you’re on the best path to good health? Our team at Qualicare Tri-Cities would like to share some tips on how to steer your path in a better direction.

Start here:

Get Plenty of Quality Sleep

As children, our parents constantly told us when to go to bed. However, when we became adults, it was up to us to structure our own bedtime schedule. 

Chances are that some of your nights are filled with less sleep than recommended. Let’s face it”we are all looking for more hours in the day, which can result in cutting out the sleep we need at night.

But sleep is essential. Not getting enough can increase your risk of many medical issues, including depression, heart disease and cognitive decline, among others.

As a result, you want to make sure you are making sleep a priority every night so that you can get enough quality sleep.

Older adults don’t need quite as much sleep as younger adults, but you should still be getting between seven and eight hours each night. 

Effectively Manage Your Stress

It seems as life goes on, stress tends to change. When we were younger, stress is often caused by friendship drama and tests. As we get older, stress tends to fall around our job, health issues and relationship problems.

That doesn’t change as an older adult. It’s still very important to find ways to effectively manage stress, since excess stress or chronic stress can increase your risk of developing chronic health conditions.

Let’s take a look at some ways you can better manage your stress so that your health doesn’t suffer:

• Follow a healthy diet.
• Get enough sleep.
• Take time to meditate or sit quietly.
• Exercise regularly.
• Take up an enjoyable hobby.

Be Proactive

There’s a saying that the best treatment is prevention. And it’s true! It’s way easier to prevent illness and injury in the first place than it is to treat it after the fact.

Regular checkups with a doctor, an eye doctor and a dentist are essential for good health. These appointments allow you to continually gauge where your health stands, and your doctors can recommend age-appropriate screenings and vaccinations that will help keep you in optimal health.

Are you looking for someone to help care for your loved one in the comfort of home? Contact our in-home care providers at Qualicare Tri-Cities to learn how we can help!