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Health and Safety Tips: Staying Active and Hydrated
As we get older, our lives tend to be filled with so many priorities that we often forget to take care of ourselves. Here are some helpful tips and information to help you stay hydrated and active in your everyday life.
Before we get into the tips, let's first get into why staying active and hydrated are so important.
First, let's focus on hydration. Did you know that people who are 60 years or older have a higher risk of becoming dehydrated? One reason for this is our thirst lowering as we get older. Another reason is that many medications taken can cause our bodies to lose fluids.
Now that we know some reasons for dehydration, as we get older, let's talk about the benefits of staying hydrated. Hydration can help our bodies perform better in multiple ways. Some of these include better brain performance, better regulation of our body temperature, better digestion, less joint pain, and many more. Staying hydrated can also help with headaches and help lower the likelihood of kidney stones.
When it comes to staying active, there are three main exercise types we should focus on. The first type is aerobic exercise. Aerobic exercise helps with endurance, circulation, and a healthier heart and lungs. The next exercise is muscle strengthening. This type of exercise can help us do everyday activities and stay independent. The last exercise is balance. Balance exercises can help prevent injuries and falls.
Now for some tips. For hydration, having a water bottle with you at all times can help up your water intake. Adding fruit to your water can also make it more enticing. Switching between water and sports drinks that have little sugar can also be helpful. Adding hydrating foods to your meals is another good way to stay hydrated. These can include soups, vegetables such as lettuce and celery, as well as fruits. But before making any drastic changes its best to speak with your doctor about what is best for you and your body.
For staying active, there are many exercises you can do for each exercise type. Aerobic exercises can include walking, raking leaves/mowing the lawn, dancing, riding a bike, and much more. Muscle strengthening exercise can include using resistance bands, lifting weights, push-ups/sit-ups, yoga, and more. Balance exercises can include walking backwards, tai chi, standing on one foot, and many more. However, as stated earlier its best to speak to your doctor before trying anything new. Everybody is different and may require different things to stay healthy.
Some Helpful Sources:
How to Stay Hydrated for Better Health
Health Benefits of Physical Activity -CDC
Three Types of Exercise
What Counts as Physical Activity
Sources:
Physical Activity Benefits for Adults 65 or Older
Three Types of Exercise Can Improve Your Health and Physical Ability
Moving Matters for Older Adults
What Counts as Physical Activity for Older Adults
