World Health Day Is on April 7th: Here are Some Senior Health Tips for the Day

On April 7th, the world comes together to celebrate World Health Day. This is a day when we focus on the importance of healthy habits, and how we can work to improve health globally. However, this is something to observe every day! As we age, our bodies and minds change. Through minor modifications, seniors can continue to enjoy their lifestyles.

In this blog post, we will provide some great tips for seniors on how to stay healthy both mentally and physically!

Stay Active

Staying active is an important component of senior health. This may include frequent walks, swims, stretching, or group classes. You can consider taking part in low-impact exercises that are easy on the joints. Make note of your strength, stability, and interests when choosing your method of staying active for World Health Day and beyond.

Take Supplements Consistently

Supplements may complement meals if seniors aren’t getting enough nutrients. Talk to your doctor about which ones would be best for you, and try to take them consistently starting on World Health Day.

Common supplements for senior health include:

• Vitamin B12
• Vitamin D
• Folate/Folic Acid
• Fiber
• Calcium
• Potassium
• Magnesium
• Omega-3 Fats

Watch Your Diet

You’ll want to cut out high fatty foods and foods that are high in sugar following World Health Day. Instead, focus on eating a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables. These types of foods help to boost your immune system and help prevent sickness.

Eating a good diet will help ensure you’re getting the vitamins and minerals your body needs, as well as antioxidants which can help protect your cells from damage. Avoid processed foods as much as possible – they’re not good for you anyway!

Use Good Hygiene Habits

As you get older your body becomes more susceptible to infection, so it’s important to keep up your good hygiene habits. Make sure to bathe or shower regularly, and brush your teeth at least twice a day. It’s also important to wash your hands often, especially before you eat.

This will help reduce your chances of getting sick and keep you looking and feeling your best. Viruses live on surfaces for up to 24 hours so it’s easy to think you’re safe just because you haven’t been around someone who is sick.

Lower Your Stress

The more the body is in a period of stress the more it releases a chemical called cortisol. Cortisol can have a number of negative effects on the body, such as increasing blood pressure and weakening the immune system so you’ll want to change it for World Health Day.

One way to lower your stress levels is by practicing meditation or yoga. These activities help to calm and focus the mind, which can help reduce overall stress levels. You don’t need to do these activities for hours each day – even just a few minutes can help make a difference.

Get Good Sleep

When you sleep your body is actually working hard to restore and rejuvenate itself. This is why it’s so important to get good, quality sleep. Most seniors need around seven to eight hours of sleep each night so keep that in mind after World Health Day.

If you’re having trouble sleeping, make sure your bedroom is dark, cool, and quiet. Avoid watching television or working on the computer in bed, as these activities can make it harder to fall asleep.

Get Doctor Checkups

Common colds and viruses can be dangerous if you aren’t prepared ahead of time. Make sure to get regular checkups from your doctor, and make sure you know what to do if you come down with something.

Getting a flu shot every year is a great way to stay healthy and you can even talk to your doctor about getting a stronger dose. You could also ask your doctor about pneumococcal vaccines which prevent pneumonia and meningitis.

Use Preventative Measures

Getting a virus when you’re older has more consequences than when you’re young. This is why it’s important to use preventative measures as much as possible.

Some things you can do are washing your hands regularly, avoiding sick people, and getting vaccinated. You can also try to eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly to help keep your body in good shape.

Stay Social

You might not think so, but staying social is actually really important for a senior’s health. When you’re around people your age it can help keep you mentally stimulated and reduce the risk of loneliness or depression.

Seniors can stay social by joining a club, going to church, or even just spending time with friends and family. If you don’t have anyone to spend time with, there are plenty of online groups and forums available that you can join.

Use Mind Games

Physical wellness isn’t the only thing you have to worry about as you age – mental wellness is just as important. One way to keep your mind active and healthy is by playing mind games, such as puzzles or crosswords.

You can also try learning a new language or taking up a new hobby. The more mentally stimulated you are, the less likely you are to experience issues like dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.

World Health Day Senior Tips

Eating a good diet, using good hygiene habits, lowering your stress levels, getting good sleep, and getting regular doctor checkups can help you continue doing the things you love. Staying social by joining a club, going to church, or spending time with friends and family can also benefit your mental health and brain function.

Additionally washing your hands regularly, avoiding sick people, and getting vaccinated will help ensure that sickness doesn’t get in the way either.

While these habits may be simple, they are powerful. Whether you follow them as preventative measures or are looking to improve your health, these will help you stay healthy and happy on World Health Day and every day after.