Despite their age, women are still burning the candle at both ends. Older women have careers, families to care for, and aging parents to take care of at various points in their lives. This can leave them tired and stressed out without much time left over to focus on themselves.
Along with maintaining healthy habits, it is also important to plan for future needs. Women should prepare an emergency plan to ensure that they are taken care of in case of any emergencies. Senior living consultants can help you with all of your senior housing and senior living needs.
In this article, we are going to discuss why it is important for senior women to stay in good health. While it’s important to make self-care a priority throughout your entire life, there is no better time than when you hit middle age or beyond. Here’s why:
1. Good Mental Health
The most obvious benefit of good physical health is that it contributes directly to our quality of life.
The mind and body affect each other closely; this means that if we do not maintain a healthy lifestyle with exercise and proper nutrition, we can expect poor mental health to follow.
2. Lower Risk of Disease and Disability
A recent study by the National Institute on Aging shows that women in their seventies who stay physically active and exercise regularly have a much lower risk of disease and disability than those who do not exercise as frequently.
This is because exercise helps increase your strength, flexibility, and balance — all things which tend to decrease with age.
3. Better Sleep Cycles
The older we get, the more fragile our sleep cycles become. Sleeping well means feeling rested when you wake up; this will help reduce stress levels throughout the day, which is important for both physical and mental health.
If you find yourself tossing and turning at night time, good-quality sleep masks can help block out the light and distractions that might be keeping you up at night.
4. Brain Function
The health of your brain is another thing that should concern you as you age. Luckily, a healthy diet full of antioxidants and Omega 3 fatty acids can help protect it from disease and keep your brain sharp for years to come.
In addition, scientists have shown that mild exercise stimulates new neuron growth in the hippocampus — an area of the brain responsible for memory function. This means that regular aerobic activity could actually slow down or reverse some effects of cognitive decline as we get older!
5. Preventing Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a disease that causes bones to become weak and brittle as we age. It’s also one of the most common bone disorders in women past menopause.
Some lifestyle factors may contribute to your risk for osteoporosis, such as lack of exercise, excessive alcohol intake, smoking, and being underweight or overweight. To reduce your risk factor, you should try to eat a healthy diet full of calcium-rich foods like yogurt or milk — even better if they’re organic!
6. Ensuring Healthy Weight
Another major risk factor for osteoporosis is an unhealthy weight; this can cause estrogen levels to be lower than normal, leading to weaker bones over time.
As you age, the chances of becoming overweight or obese are greater. It’s important to try your best to maintain a healthy weight throughout your senior years.
7. Healthy Menstruation
Lastly, don’t forget about good menstruation practices in older women! If you’re approaching menopause and have had issues with irregular periods or heavy bleeding before, it’s vital that you speak to your doctor as soon as possible, so they can help find solutions for you.
The effect of hormone fluctuations on menstrual problems varies dramatically from person to person; some women may not even notice any changes at all while others may stop ovulating altogether, which will cause them to experience more extreme symptoms like hot flashes or night sweats.
8. Getting the Proper Nutrition
In addition to eating a healthy diet, it’s important for older women to make sure they’re getting all the proper nutrients from their food. Nutritional supplementation can help prevent deficiencies in iron, calcium, and Vitamin D, which are common problems among women.
Apart from vitamins and minerals, it’s also important for older women to get enough dietary fiber and protein. Both of these things promote satiety so you won’t feel hungry between meals which are vital for preventing obesity!
By following the simple lifestyle changes mentioned above, senior women can enjoy a happy and healthy senior life. Adhering to these efficient practices while getting regular check-ups from a medical professional at least once per year should help senior women maintain their overall health throughout the later stages of their lives.
