Guest post by Zoe Price
Aging gracefully can mean a number of different things. Celebrating your life throughout the years is so important as it allows you to embrace everything life throws at you. While it is so important to live lie to the fullest, it is also crucial that you try your best to remain healthy as you get older. As we age, our body starts to work in different ways, which can mean that you do not feel as healthy or energetic as you once did. Being able to recognise these signs can help you determine quickly if anything is medically wrong. In addition to recognising changes, you must also be doing what you can to stay fit and healthy. Now, this doesn’t mean you need to give up all your favourite treats or start running marathons, but making some healthy choices can help you live a longer and fuller life.
If you want to learn more about how you can stay healthy as a woman as you age, then follow along to find out more!
Maintain A Balanced Diet
Throughout life, we have always been taught the importance of a balanced diet. Especially as we are growing up, there is a clear emphasis on why we need to eat certain foods, as that is the way to stay healthy. This mindset should follow you throughout your entire life, particularly as you begin to age. Our diet is the main way that our body receives nutrients and vitamins, so without a balanced diet, your body could begin to develop certain vitamin deficiencies. Understanding what vitamins, you need and how to get them can sometimes be tricky, so here is a simple list that should explain the basics:
- Iron- meat, fish, poultry, and beans
- Vitamin E- nuts, seeds, and vegetable oils
- Vitamin B12- meat, poultry, and fish
- Vitamin A- carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, and kale
When explained in a simple list like above, it can make it seem less daunting of a task to get all the essential vitamins you need.
Exercise Regularly
Alongside eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly is a great way to stay healthy as you get older. Exercise has such a positive impact on our minds, so you may find that your mood improves if you regularly get your body moving. Exercising regularly does not mean that you need to be hitting the gym every day of the week, in fact you don’t even need to join a gym at all. At home workouts have become more popular since the pandemic, so there is such huge range of exercises you can do from the comfort of your home. If you are someone who enjoys more leisurely exercise, then something like Yoga or Pilates could work for you. Now, that’s not to say that Yoga or Pilates aren’t intense workouts, but they are definitely more suited to people who prefer slower workouts. However, if you like fast-paced action, then you may find workouts like running, cycling, boxing, or dancing to be more your type of thing. Again, you do not need to join a gym in order to experience this, you can find some home workouts on YouTube and just follow along.
Don’t Be Afraid To Seek Professional Medical Advice
Seeking medical advice is not always an easy task, especially if you suffer from anxiety or you have had issues with medical professionals in the past. However anxious you may be, it is so important that you are not afraid to seek medical advice. If you constantly put off seeing your doctor, you are running the risk of developing more serious issues further down the line. In some instances, you may need to get a blood test, just to ensure there are no present issues. Booking a blood test on the NHS often proves to be difficult, as long waiting times can mean you are delayed for weeks. If this is the case, then you may want to look for blood tests near you, in a private clinic. Bioma is private blood test clinic in London so if you are local to the area, then this could be a good place to go, instead of waiting for an appointment at your local GP.
Know The Symptoms Of Menopause
One of the biggest changes that happens to women as we get older is menopause. While menopause is completely natural and there is nothing to be worries about, women should be aware of the symptoms, so that they can understand the change that is happening in their bodies. Some of the most common symptoms of menopause are:
- Anxiety
- Low moods
- Hot flushes
- Vaginal dryness
- Decreased libido
- Sweating during the night
- Irregular periods
- Skin issues
When these symptoms begin to occur, you might feel scared, and you may panic and become worried about the change your body is going through. If any of the above symptoms become more severe, then it is always best to see a doctor and discuss your issues. You may also find it useful to talk with your female friends and share your experiences together. It is likely that they will be going through the same thing, so don’t be afraid to reach out.
Ensure You Get Regular Sleep
Sleeping is something everyone needs, so getting any is fine, right? Not necessarily. How long you sleep is vital, but it’s more than just time you need to consider. Sleep quality, and how deeply you sleep, and how refreshed you feel afterwards, can have a significant effect on your general health and wellbeing. That’s especially true as women age, as we need more rest to cope with issues such as menopause. However, getting good quality sleep is easier said than done. For those who experience regular insomnia, it can often seem as if there is no real solution. A good way to help your body tire out is to exercise during the day. A quick 30-minute workout is sometimes enough to help you drift off at night as your body is tired and needs the rest. Making a conscious effort to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day can also help with insomnia as it allows your body to create a routine which will hopefully mean you feel tired at the same time every day.
Keep An Eye On Any Changes To Your Body
Obvious changes like suddenly losing or gaining weight can both be symptoms of something more serious, so it is crucial that you listen to your body and notice any changes. Obviously, your body will naturally change as you age, so don’t be too worried about grey hair or wrinkles but try and pay close attention to anything out of the ordinary. If you do happen to notice a drastic change, then it is important you get it seen to as soon as possible. Our immune systems are a lot weaker when we get older, so issues can spread faster throughout the body. Getting any symptoms checked out as soon as you notice them is the best thing you can do to ensure your body stays healthy throughout the later stages of your life.
