A Senior’s Diary: How To’s of a Sharp Mind and Strong Heart

Getting older can open our doors to many health challenges. Among the most common chronic diseases in seniors are Alzheimer’s, dementia, and cardiovascular disease, according to the American Society for Clinical Pathology.

Aging is not preventable, but by being aware of these common chronic conditions, you can take the necessary steps to maintain a healthy mind and heart.

How to Keep Your Mind Sharp 

With older age comes many health concerns, but it is memory decline that elicits the most fear. In the results of a 2012 survey, 64% of participants noted that staying mentally sharp is their top concern. Conversely, a 2017 study found that more people fear the possibility of an Alzheimer’s or dementia diagnosis.

Losing memories of who you are and who you love is a scary thought. To reduce your risk of memory loss, challenging your brain with vigorous mental activities may help build and preserve your brain functions.

You can stimulate your mind through several activities, including:

• Reading books of different genres
• Taking up a hobby that requires new skills
• Volunteering for a charity
• Socializing with friends and family
• Getting to know new people
• Playing games, such as chess or golf
  

Other activities that can help exercise your brain are completing puzzles, creating art, or working in the garden.

There is also a strong link between a nutrient-dense diet and sharp thinking abilities. The so-called Mediterranean diet – which comprises fruits, vegetables, fish, nuts, olive oil, and whole grains – has a direct link to lower cognitive decline.

How to Keep Your Heart Strong

Heart disease is a significant threat to senior health. Even though heart disease is more prevalent in seniors, it does not have to be an inevitable part of getting older.

Making better lifestyle choices can help protect your heart. To get started, make sure you get at least 30 minutes of exercise every day, which may include walking, swimming, or light aerobics with a trainer. Aside from exercising, eating clean is also essential to a healthy heart. Load up on fresh fruits and veggies while reducing your intake of foods high in saturated fat, salt, and cholesterol.

Stress is another factor that not only increases many heart disease risks, but can also steer you away from living a healthy lifestyle. To relieve stress, you may want to try meditation, massage therapy, breathing exercises, or playing with pets.  

Lastly, avoiding bad habits is crucial to an illness-free heart. For example, tobacco smoking contributes to cardiovascular disease. If you smoke, quitting is best for your general disposition. Excess alcohol consumption can also worsen health conditions that lead to heart disease, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and arrhythmia.

How to Feel Your Best as a Senior

It is never too late to make positive lifestyle changes and get your health in check. To keep any health problems under control, make sure to set regular appointments with your doctor. This sense of proactiveness may help you become one of the 41% of seniors who say their health is very good or excellent.