10 Healthy Habits for 2019

A new year is a good time to try to make some changes in our lives to keep us healthier

Being healthy means being happier and being able to live a more fulfilled life, and by forming and keeping healthy habits, it is possible to greatly improve our quality of life, for longer.

For many people, making our lives healthier is just a case of picking up a few healthy habits, so what can we do to improve wellness in 2019?

Get outside in the fresh air

Try to get outside as much as possible. Even a short walk is a great way to get valuable vitamin D from the sunlight, take gentle exercise and get to see people. Vitamin D deficiency is common in older people due to changes in lifestyle, and if you cannot get outside regularly, it is important to consume vitamin D in another way – such as increasing it in your diet or taking cod liver oil.

Get good sleep

As we get older, we often find that it is difficult to get to sleep, or that our quality of sleep deteriorates. Try to get into the habit of a bedtime routine, maybe with time reading or away from a screen, a mug of warm milk or camomile tea, a relaxing bath or trying to go to bed at the same time every night. You might also want to try to avoid napping during the day to get a night of good sleep, which will give you more energy and reduce irritability. Find out more tips on how to improve your sleep here.

Eat well a healthy balanced diet

Our bodies change as well as our lifestyles as we get older, so it is important to make sure that what we eat matches our needs. Our lifestyles usually get more sedentary, meaning that we need fewer calories, but also don’t absorb vitamins and minerals in the same way. This means that it is even more important to eat lots of fruit, vegetables, oily fish and wholegrains to keep you healthy and with energy.

Try going caffeine free

There are many good reasons to reduce caffeine in our lives; we sleep better and have fewer gastro problems when we don’t drink as much. Here are six reasons why going caffeine free may be good for you.

Stay hydrated

Dehydration can be a big problem for older people, especially during the summer and winter if the heating is on high. Mild dehydration can cause thirst, headaches, constipation and tiredness, but can escalate into more serious problems if not dealt with. It is recommended that you drink at least 1.5 l per day (just over 2.5 pints), of fluids like water, tea or coffee, fruit juice – but try to avoid sugary, fizzy drinks. Try to get into the habit of drinking at certain times in the day to avoid getting dehydrated.

It’s good to talk

For many people, getting older can mean isolation from family, friends and the rest of society, which can lead to anxiety and loneliness. By taking a walk, you can see and meet people, but even better would be to join a club or take up a new hobby. If mobility is a problem, try to talk to friends and family on the telephone or Skype as often as possible.

Make your bed every day

Research shows that making your bed in the morning gets you off to a good start, as well as making it easier at bedtime. An organised environment is good for your mental health as well as reducing the risk of tripping.

Take regular exercise

We should be as active as possible as we get older, but it also gets more difficult. Exercise can reduce the risks of some illnesses and make you feel better in yourself. Try to set yourself small but achievable goals if it seems difficult, such as going out for a walk or exercising sitting down. Don’t be put off by winter weather … there are plenty of things you can do indoors.

Look after your feet

It is important that you look after your feet properly. Make sure you cut nails straight across and regularly moisturise your feet to stop them from getting dry. If this is problem for you, go to a chiropractor who can do it for you.

Get regular health checks

You can get regular health check-ups where your doctor will check things like your blood pressure and weight. Sight and hearing tests are also useful to ensure that you are feeling your best and can get any help that you need.

By changing a few habits in our lives, it is possible to give us happier and higher quality lives. So why not give it a go?

Disclaimer
All content on Silversurfers.com is provided for general information only, and should not be treated at all as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or any other health care professional. Silversurfers will not be responsible or liable for any diagnosis made by a user based on the content on www.silversurfers.com and we are also not liable for the content of any external websites or links from or to Silversurfers to any other websites. Please always consult your own doctor if you’re in any way concerned about any aspect of your health.

Written by Ella Hendrix