Boosting overall wellbeing requires dedication, and today is the perfect time for seniors to start taking care of their health. Older adults who take a few minutes out of the day to focus on their physical and emotional health can reduce their risk of several diseases. Here are five easy steps seniors can take to boost their health and wellbeing.
1. Breathe Deeply for Five Minutes
Many mental health specialists recommend deep breathing as a tool to control anxiety and stress levels. This type of meditation requires nothing more than a comfortable chair and a relatively quiet environment. Your elderly loved one should try to count how long he or she is inhaling and exhaling. Breathing in for five seconds and exhaling for the same amount of time could slow your loved one’s heart rate and produce a sense of calm.
Some seniors need assistance with daily activities and encouragement to adopt healthier lifestyle habits. Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of in-home care. You can rely on Align Home Care Services to provide an individualized care plan to meet your elderly loved one’s unique care needs. Our caregivers help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits, such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and we offer mentally stimulating activities that can stave off cognitive decline and delay the onset of dementia.
2. Juice Some Vegetables
Most major health organizations suggest older adults should consume around seven servings of vegetables every day, but very few people actually reach that number. Unlike processed beverages that cause energy levels to rise and fall, juiced vegetables provide consistent energy throughout the day. Seniors can add a few pieces of fresh ginger or some apple slices to vegetable juices for a better taste.
3. Call a Family Member
Hearing a family member’s voice triggers several physical and emotional responses, and it can immediately put your loved one at ease. Socializing with friends and family members also has several long-term benefits. Interacting with others can slow the rate of cognitive decline and reduce the risk of dementia, depression, and several other disorders.
For families living in Portland, respite care can be a wonderful solution when their aging loved ones need companionship and socialization a few hours a week or just need minor assistance with daily household tasks. At Align Home Care Services, we thrive on helping seniors maintain their independence while living in the comfort of home.
4. Soak in an Epsom Salt Bath
Epsom salt has been used for many years to treat a variety of diseases. The salt is rich in magnesium, which can relieve physical issues such as inflammation, muscle aches, headaches, and cramps. Soaking in a salt bath can also exfoliate the skin and remove blemishes.
5. Take a Brisk Walk
Regular exercise can raise the heart rate and make seniors feel better almost immediately. As the heart rate increases, it triggers the release of several feel-good hormones and chemicals, including dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin. A 2014 study conducted at Stanford University also found exercising for just 10 or 15 minutes can increase creativity and cognitive abilities for the rest of the day.
Seniors who want to remain healthy as they age can benefit in a variety of ways when they receive professional homecare. Portland, ME, Align Home Care Services is here to help your loved one accomplish daily tasks, prevent illness, and focus on living a healthier and more fulfilling life. If you need professional home care for your loved one, reach out to one of our Care Managers today at (207) 835-3605.