Seniors: Tips for healthy living

Fluid fitness

A gentle swim or water aerobics is a great way to maintain physical strength, flexibility, and joint mobility as you age. The National Sports Centre offers swimming lessons as well as low-impact aerobics classes, which are suitable for anyone of any age and any fitness level. If you prefer to go it alone, the ocean is on your doorstep.

www.bermudanationalsportscentre. com/aquatic-programs/

Walk

Walking at a brisk pace will not only improve your health but also increase endorphins and stave off depression. You will get the greatest benefit by moving at a pace that gets your heart rate up. Walk the Railway Trail, walk the beaches, or join the Walking Club of Bermuda: www. walk.free.bm

Volunteer

Many studies show that seniors who volunteer their time and energy to support their community have lower disability and higher levels of wellbeing, compared with those who do not volunteer. It makes you feel good, prevents isolation and depression, keeps the brain active, and also promotes physical activity.

Brain games

To maintain cognitive health, you need to keep the brain active. Whether through reading, doing puzzles, playing a musical instrument, and hobbies – or why not teach or take a class? The Government’s Community Education Programme offers many possibilities: www.gov.bm/ community-education.

Maintain a healthy weight

Extra weight increases your risk for many health problems, e.g., high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes. Eat nutritious foods in the right amounts to help you stay healthy. Because of the heat and humidity, in Bermuda we tend to drink a lot of our calories and often far more than we need. Stay away from sugary drinks – and not just colas. Many iced teas and sports drinks have upward of 10 teaspoons of sugar. Water should be your primary beverage.

Stay up to date on medical screenings

Don’t put off that doctor visit; get an annual check-up. Woman should get regular (as recommended by your physician) screenings for breast cancer. Men should be checked for prostate cancer. Get regular dental, vision, and hearing checkups.

Prevent skin cancer

Protect your skin from the sun at all times – not just when you go to the beach. Your skin gets thinner as you age, and UV light from the sun destroys collagen and elastin, which keeps the skin firm. Skin also becomes more fragile and easily bruised as you age. Exposure to sunlight is the main culprit in aging skin. So stay out of the sun, cover up, wear a hat, and use sunscreen. Look for a brand of sunscreen that does not contain chemicals that are harmful to our reefs.

Manage Stress

Spending time with family and friends has been shown to help reduce stress. Meditation and yoga are both ideal stress relievers for seniors. They can be practiced without any special equipment or special ability. Pets can offer soothing comfort for their owners. If you don’t want to keep a cat or dog of your own, cuddle a neighbours cat, or offer to take a friend’s dog for a walk.