Get and stay active:  It’s never too late to get active!  Exercise can benefit adults of all ages.  No matter your health and physical abilities there is a lot to gain from staying active.  As we age, we lose muscle mass and bone density.  Loss of muscle, or Sarcopenia, and can happen about 3-5% each decade after the age of 30.  Being physically active and exercising regularly is a great way to fight the aging process.  Keeping active is also a way for us to maintain our independence throughout our life. Go 4 Life from the National Institute on Aging offers sample work out videos and tools for older adults to get started.

Stay social:  Sometimes as we age, we find ourselves spending more time at home alone. According to the National Institute on Aging, loneliness and social isolation has been shown to be harmful to our health including increased risk of chronic health conditions, a weakened immune system, and anxiety and depression.  Try expanding your social circle.  Look for ways to stay connected such as volunteering, joining an exercise group, or staying in touch with others online or through social media. 

Challenge your mind:  Our brain changes too as we age.  Parts of the brain may actually shrink, in particular those that deal with learning and complex mental tasks.  Give your brain cells a workout by learning new hobbies or skills which scientists say have been shown to keep our minds sharp and establish our “cognitive reserve”.  Exercise and the diet that we eat are also important in our cognitive health.

Eat for your age:  As we get older we typically need less calories than younger adults.  To keep a healthy weight, it is important to get fewer calories, but still eat nutrient dense foods.  The National Institute of Health and NIDDK advise older adults, in addition to watching portions, to “eat the rainbow” and focus on a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins including beans and nuts.  If you are not sure where to get started, the National Institute on Aging has sample menus for healthy eating in older adults.

If you would like to learn more on this topic, join OSU Health Coach Alison, on June 4th at 12:00pm-12:30pm for the Group Health Coaching series “Wellness as We Age.”  During the series, we will take an in depth look at some of these tips and more.