As much as we hate to admit it, age really does affect our bodies. Although we can’t help its effects, what we can do is improve our body’s health to prolong our lives. Not only does it help you live longer, but it can also make you feel better in your last decades. You might find that you’ll feel your best after making some healthy choices. If you are someone who wants to make a change, you can start by doing these things.
Teeth Alignment
They say that it’s never too late to have your teeth fixed. Periodontal problems are one of the main reasons why older adults tend to lose their teeth. The plaque buildup can cause gums to recede and teeth to come loose. This is why many senior citizens tend to have dentures by the time they are in their 70s and 80s. However, this can easily be prevented.
Even if you are in your 60s, dental issues can still be fixed. Younger adults tend to be too busy or don’t have enough money to care for their teeth. As someone older, proper teeth alignment can be a huge load off your shoulders. Misaligned teeth can make it difficult to floss a certain portion of your mouth and cause teeth to scrape against each other. It can result in pain when chewing and jaw pain.
Straightening is done through either braces or aligners. Braces can be either metal, the ones usually found in teens, or ceramic. Both of these are work for at least 18 months and can last for a maximum of two years, depending on the person. If you don’t want a clunky metal bar in your mouth at your age, a good alternative is Invisalign. It costs quite a bit, but everyone who has had it done will agree that it is far superior to wearing braces.
Weight Training
Most people think that older people shouldn’t be carrying things that are too heavy. In fact, this might actually benefit them more than you realize. As early as 30 years old, your body becomes more resistant to growth hormones. This makes it a lot harder to build and retain muscle. It is estimated that you lose about three to five percent of muscle every decade.
Your mobility and strength is drastically affected, which is why a lot of senior citizens are accident-prone. However, this can be avoided by eating enough protein and weight training. It will help them gain back the muscle that they are losing as well as increase their mobility. The training’s stress will encourage your cells to rebuild themselves and become stronger to adapt to the strain.
You have to start with lighter weights, but eventually, you can increase your weights after some training. It is best to train at least three times a week and increase the weight after a few weeks. If you need further assistance, physical trainers are great for measuring the best time to increase weights.
Stop Smoking
It’s never too late to stop vices. Even in your 60s and 70s, you can still feel the benefits of quitting smoking. Smoking, in general, increases your heart rate and causes major arteries to tighten. This increases your overall risk of heart disease as well as increases your blood pressure.
Quitting is not an immediate process, and for many, it requires a long process of gradually reducing consumption. If you shock your body by stopping all of a sudden, you may experience withdrawal. The best way to encourage the elderly to quit is to find alternatives to their habits.
