Your health is your biggest asset, but as you age, you might start noticing that it’s a little harder to stay healthy. For instance, it might not take much to feel out of breath, and you might end up with sore muscles and joint pain. It might seem like a tough or even impossible feat to remain healthy the older you get, but there are ways to maintain your health, regardless of your age.
Get regular checkups
Finding a good primary care physician (PCP) is one of the best things you can do for your health. When you have an established relationship with a PCP you can trust, going in for routine checkups will be a breeze. Even if you just go in for a visit every six months, you’ll be able to catch some issues before they become bigger. Health checkups are a central part of a preventive care routine, and the older you get, the more important they become.
Get odd symptoms checked out
If you experience strange symptoms that don’t go away, or something feels off about your health, you should see a doctor right away. Unusual symptoms might be caused by a serious illness that you don’t know about, and the sooner you get checked out, the faster you can get treatment.
For example, mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos, and the symptoms of this disease don’t show up for decades after exposure. That’s how long it takes for the irritation and inflammation caused by the asbestos fibers to turn into cancer and start forming noticeable tumors. Unfortunately, the symptoms of mesothelioma mimic the symptoms of pneumonia, and that’s why some patients get misdiagnosed.
Getting symptoms checked out is crucial, but if your doctor tells you not to worry, and you still feel like something else is wrong, seek care from a specialist. You know your body better than anyone. In the case of mesothelioma, regular doctors misdiagnose people often, but a specialist will have the experience required to know the difference.
Eat healthy
With so many diets and studies that seem to contradict one another, the concept of eating healthy seems subjective. However, there are some objective facts regarding what healthy eating entails. For instance, avoiding sugar and processed foods will drastically reduce the amount of harmful substances you put into your body. Sugar does more than just make you fat – it’s toxic, and can lead to severe metabolic dysfunction.
Processed foods are equally damaging to the body since they contain harmful chemicals that are found in just about everything that comes in a package or can. These chemicals include sodium nitrates and nitrites, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), sodium benzoate, potassium benzoate, monosodium glutamate (MSG), artificial colors and sweeteners, and more.
Another part of eating healthy involves switching to an organic diet. The pesticides used to grow commercial produce don’t wash off – they get absorbed by the plant. Just eating vegetables and fruit isn’t enough. If you aren’t eating organic food, no matter how fresh it is, you’re consuming toxins like glyphosate.
In addition to avoiding toxic ingredients, you can also cook your meals at home using fresh, organic ingredients. The less food you eat from restaurants and fast food joints, the better. The only restaurants that might be a good choice are the ones that only serve organic food. However, some organic food is packaged with chemical preservatives, and there’s no way to know what you’re being served.
Exercise regularly
When you think of exercising, you might think about going to the gym and doing an insane workout, or running five miles. If that type of exercise feels intimidating, don’t worry, you can take it slow. Choose exercises that work for your body and fitness level. Yoga is a nice, gentle way to stretch your body and build strength, and band workouts are a good alternative to free weights because they aren’t hard on your joints. It also helps to do simple things, like walk around the block every morning or evening. If you struggle with mobility or injuries, talk to a physical therapist about what you can do for exercise.
Stay committed
Commitment to good health is the string that will tie all of your efforts together. Whatever diet or exercise plan you choose to follow, stay committed to your goals. Getting and staying healthy happens one day at a time, so start where you are and keep going. Create new goals as you go, and never give up on yourself.
