healthy habits

                                                 FOR A HAPPIER YOU!

Physical Activity and Older Adults

Physical activity is good for us at every age. As we get older, staying active keeps our energy levels higher which means we have the energy to do more of the things we like to do. It improves balance decreasing our risk of falls and injuries that result from falls. Physical activity maintains and improves our strength, improves our mood and can prevent or delay diseases like diabetes, osteoporosis and heart disease.

 

To get the full benefit of physical activity, keep these 4 factors in mind: balance, endurance, flexibility and strength. Almost everyone, at any age, can do some type of physical activity.

The best way to stay physically active is to do the things we already like to do. Ride a bike, go for a walk, or dance to our favorite music. If able, take the stairs as opposed to escalators or elevators. For those who need a buddy to keep them going, sign up for a class or join a gym.  Peer pressure can be just the ticket to ensure we don’t skip that next class. It’s easy to add more activity in our daily routines.

 

From slow movement strength and flexibility classes to a robust Zumba class, Redstone Highlands offers a wide variety of free exercise classes for adults age 55 and better at all three locations.  For those who haven’t been active for a long time or are physically limited due to a chronic illness, Redstone Highlands works with you and your doctor to create a personalized wellness plan specifically for you.

 

For those who want to take an active role in ensuring the quality of their life, now is the right time to increase our physical activity.

Healthy Habits April 2016

healthy habits

National Distracted Driving Awareness Month

April is recognized as National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. Distracted driving kills hundreds of people on the road each year. We tend to think that teenagers are the biggest offenders, however, according to the Pew Research Center, that isn’t necessarily the case. Our lives are busy and when we get into our cars we have difficulty changing gears (pun intended). 

Here are some tips to help you be more alert when driving:

·         Put your phone away

·         Make adjustments to your radio before you drive and keep the volume down

·         Secure any loose items in your car

·         If you’re using your phone or GPS for directions, enter your destination before starting your trip

·         Don’t eat, drink or smoke while driving

·         Adjust your seat and mirrors prior to starting out

·         Make sure everyone is buckled up

 

Keep yourself and your passengers safe on the road. Seasoned drivers sometimes take for granted the effort needed to stay focused on road conditions and the actions of other drivers. Limiting unnecessary distractions helps you to be better focused when you’re behind the wheel.

Healthy Habits March 2016

Eat Smarter for Better Eye Health

In the last 20 years, eye health research has linked diet and nutrition with a decreased risk of age related macular degeneration and slower cataract formation. There’s no substitute for the quality of life good vision offers.  Adding certain nutrients to your diet every day – either through foods or supplements – can help save your vision.  

Lutein and zeaxanthin are important nutrients found in green leafy vegetables, as well as other foods, such as eggs. Many studies have shown that lutein and zeaxanthin reduce the risk of chronic eye diseases, including age-related macular degeneration and cataracts.

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is an antioxidant found in fruits and vegetables. Foods high in Vitamin C include kiwi, strawberries, guavas, yellow and red bell peppers, kale, broccoli and turnip greens.  Scientific evidence suggests vitamin C lowers the risk of developing cataracts, and when taken in combination with other essential nutrients, can slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration and visual acuity loss.

Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant found in nuts, fortified cereals and sweet potatoes. It is thought to protect cells of the eyes from damage caused by unstable molecules called free radicals which break down healthy tissue.

Fats are a necessary part of the human diet. They maintain the integrity of the nervous system, fuel cells and boost the immune system. Omega-3 fatty acids are believed to be important for proper visual development and retinal function and may help reduce dry eye syndrome.

Zinc is an essential trace mineral or ‘helper molecule.’ It plays a vital role in bringing vitamin A from the liver to the retina in order to produce melanin, a protective pigment in the eyes. Zinc is highly concentrated in the eye, mostly in the retina and choroid, the vascular tissue layer lying under the retina.

Protect Your Vision

Eat an eye-healthy diet

Don’t smoke

Wear Hats & Sunglasses

Use Safety Eyewear

Take a Break From the Computer Screen

Regular Visits to Your Eye Doctor

Keep Diabetes Under Control

Healthy Habits February 2016

February is Heart Health Month

As we age our blood pressure, cholesterol and other heart-related numbers tend to rise increasing our risk for heart disease. The good news is there are small steps you can take to lower your risk of heart related health issues. 

·         Watch your weight

·         Eat a healthy diet

·         Learn the warning signs of a heart attack and stroke

·         Follow your physician treatment plans and medications

For those of us in our 60s or older, it's a good idea to ask your doctor about adding an ankle-brachial index test as part of your annual physical exam. This test assesses the pulses in the feet to help diagnose peripheral artery disease (PAD,) which is a lesser known cardiovascular disease in which plaque builds up in the leg arteries. 

Watching your numbers closely and managing any health problems that arise; along with healthy eating and exercise; can help you live longer and enjoy a better quality of life.

Know the Signs

A heart attack occurs when an area of the heart muscle dies or is permanently damaged due to an inadequate supply of oxygen to that area. Some heart attacks are sudden and intense while others start slowly and have mild pain or discomfort. Often those affected are not sure what’s wrong and wait too long before getting help. Here are signs that can mean a heart attack is occurring:

·         Chest pain or discomfort – uncomfortable pressure or squeezing in the middle of the chest that can last for more than a few minutes or go away and come back.

·         Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.

·         Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.

·         Cold sweats, dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea or vomiting

Healthy Habits January 2016

If you’re used to putting others first, it’s hard to put yourself at the top of your priority list, but everybody needs to recharge their battery.

 

Healthy Habits For a Happier You!

 

SPEND SOME TIME WITH YOURSELF

 

Why Make Time

Taking time may at first blush seem selfish, but other people benefit from your “me time” too. Consider this, me time has both psychological and physical benefits. You’ll feel refreshed, be happier and have more patience.  You’ll have an improved frame of reference and when you’re thinking more clearly, you make better decisions.   Avoid being a grump, taking a little time for yourself boosts your mental wellbeing and can improve your mood and energy level.

 

How Much Time

Give yourself a half an hour a day, even if you have to break it up into two fifteen minute increments. Schedule it, put it on your “to do” list, whatever you have to do to make it happen, every day.

 

How to Use it

Here’s the fun part because the possibilities are endless! Enjoy a cup of your favorite beverage, look at a beautiful piece of art, listen to your favorite music, meditate, take a walk, read a book, sit in the sunshine, keep a journal, count your blessings,…  The point is to do what refreshes and re-energizes you.