September is Healthy Aging Month
Why Healthy Aging Month?
September is a perfect time to celebrate Healthy Aging Month since it is time when many people think about getting started on new tasks after the summer. Drawing on the “back to school” urge embedded in everyone from childhood, the observance month’s activities are designed to encourage people to rejuvenate and get going on positive measures that can impact the areas of physical, social, financial and mental wellness.
“Re-Invent Yourself”
According to Carolyn Worthington, editor-in-chief of Healthy Aging® Magazine and executive director of Healthy Aging®, it’s never too late to find a new career, a new sport, passion or hobby.
Worthington is the creator of September is Healthy Aging® Month, an annual health observance designed to focus national attention on the positive aspects of growing older. Now in its second decade, Worthington says September is Healthy Aging® Month provides inspiration and practical ideas for adults, ages 45-plus, to improve their physical, mental, social and financial well-being.
The numbers of people over 45 is growing every year. The attention used to be just on the baby boomers. The generation x-ers are elbowing their way in and have many of the same interests as the previous generation – stay active and vibrant as long as possible. There are over 76 million baby boomers today over 50 and the first of the 82.1 million generation x-ers reached that milestone in 2015.
5 Steps to Aging Healthy
To age “well” is more than just a state of being. Healthy aging includes being well-rounded psychologically, socially, and physically, and includes taking active measures to ensure such. While some may associate being diagnosed with certain physical ailments as inevitable due to genetic predispositions, many physical maladies are actually not determined by genetics alone and can be combated with appropriate preventative measures.
Here are some general tips for aging successfully and living a healthier lifestyle:
Get Regular Check-Ups And Yearly Physicals
Don’t ignore symptoms. If you’re not feeling well, don’t “wait for it to go away.” While you don’t need to visit the doctor for every ailment, know yourself and your body well enough to detect if there is something out of the ordinary.
Don’t neglect regular medical check ups; have an annual physical examination. and schedule the tests your doctor recommends. This would include your eye doctor and dentist as well as your physician. Many diseases can be prevented when caught early if you remain diligent about your health.
Stay Social
Don't Forget Your Mind
Maintain a Healthy Diet
Healthy eating is a big part of staying healthy, and the USDA emphasizes the need for more vegetables and fruits in the American diet – recommending five a day. Eat a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, and try to avoid excessive processed foods. Boosting the amount of fresh vegetables in our diet is an easy way to feel full without a lot of calories.
Get Moving
Exercise can be as simple as walking just ten or fifteen minutes, three to four times a week and increasing as you go. For those who are more active, try taking up tennis or joining a club where you can swim or use the exercise equipment. Even just taking a dance class or senior yoga, gardening or mowing the lawn. There are countless ways to stay active that will keep your body moving.
Better Your Health This Month
September is healthy aging month and we have some tips for bettering your health as get older. Dr. Daniel Deem has more in our Morning Rounds.
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