National Wellness Month: Promoting Senior Health in Richmond
Like most cities in the U.S., Richmond will soon celebrate National Wellness Month. As a senior, there's no better time to examine your wellness habits.
First things first: wellness should be a priority all year long. We all know that, but habits that are good for you can also be the hardest to maintain. Once August rolls around, however, there's no excuse for not being on your healthiest behavior.
Want to make the most of your next August? Here are some essential wellness tips for older adults that will nurture your mind and body!
Enjoy a Comfortable Living Environment
For older adults, maintaining wellness is a journey that starts at home. Do what you can to ensure that your living space is safe and comfortable. This can involve anything from getting rid of unneeded items to taking care of maintenance.
Beyond decluttering, you should focus on tasks that prevent injuries. For example, how many tripping hazards like electrical cords are there in your home? Could the dark areas, such as corners and hallways, use some extra lighting?
As you age, your physical abilities may necessitate further updates. Some common examples of things you can do include:
- Add grab bars to the bathroom
- Widen your doors to make them wheelchair-accessible
- Install anti-slip flooring in areas prone to wetness
Maintain a Nutritious Diet
Healthy and nutritious food makes a big difference in older adults' well-being. Unfortunately, many seniors didn't get the memo. According to the DGA, 31% of men and 50% of women aged 71 and older don't get enough protein.
As often as you can, choose foods packed with the protein, vitamins, and minerals you need for long-term well-being. For example, berries are great for your memory, whereas legumes and leafy greens will help your heart.
Practice Relaxation Techniques
No list of healthy aging activities is complete without relaxation and mindfulness practices. These practices are both effective and can be done from almost anywhere. Beyond improving your mental health, they also help with:
- Increasing self-awareness
- Lowering blood pressure
- Improving your sleep
- Treating chronic pain
Don't have much experience with mindfulness? This technique is all about slowing down your thoughts and paying attention to being in the moment. When done well, practicing mindfulness allows you to relax both your body and mind.
Establish a Routine
Taking a day off from your responsibilities can feel good once in a while. If you do it too often, though, it becomes a pattern that disrupts your well-being. This is where it helps to have a routine that you can stick to and get real benefits.
If you don't have an established routine, don't try to do too much at once. Start small and consider which habits could fit into your existing behaviors. For instance, drinking your morning coffee can be a great time to practice mindfulness!
Maintain Healthy Sleep Habits
Getting adequate sleep is a big part of keeping a senior's immune system strong. Contrary to popular opinion, our sleep habits don't change that much as we get older. In general, seniors still need seven to nine hours of sleep.
If you're struggling to rest, try to moderate some daily habits that may interrupt your nightly rest. Some things you can try include:
- Limit daytime naps
- Remove distractions from your bedroom
- Decrease screen time throughout the day
Connect With Nature
As far as promoting senior well-being goes, exposure to nature and green spaces is a fairly underrated tip. Nature has many positive effects on your mental health, from improving your mood to enhancing your cognitive functions.
Whenever possible, go for a walk to enjoy some fresh air and sun. Fortunately, Richmond doesn't lack green spaces. This August, make an effort to visit a nearby community garden or, if you're lucky enough, a sprawling park.
Seek Preventive Healthcare
As we get older, our risk of developing health issues keeps increasing. One way to keep these issues at bay is to go to preventive screenings and check-ups. This is another life tip that many seniors either half-ignore or completely neglect.
Talk to your doctor to learn more about which preventive services are a good idea for your specific situation. Some essential yearly services include:
- Vaccinations
- An annual wellness exam
- Screenings for osteoporosis, diabetes, and cancer
- Blood tests for measuring hormone and cholesterol levels
Stay Socially Connected
Regular socialization is crucial for older adults. It allows you to combat stress and anxiety while helping with emotion-focused coping. This is why many Richmond senior health initiatives focus on organizing social activities.
If you reside in a senior living community, you don't even need to leave your home to stay socially connected. Invite your neighbors for a game or movie night, and you'll meet new people from the comfort of your couch!
Don't Neglect Physical Activity
Moderate physical activity is at the core of many senior wellness programs in Richmond. The main goal of these activities is to elevate your heart rate slightly, but not so much that you can't carry on a conversation. Examples include:
- Walking a dog around the yard
- Performing household chores like mopping
- Doing yoga, tai chi, or light strength training
Most importantly, you should try to be physically active every day. Consistency in physical activity counts for a lot, even if you're just walking around. Stay aware of long periods of sitting or lying down and break them up as much as you can.
Preparing for the National Wellness Month
With National Wellness Month almost upon us, taking care of your well-being should be your number one objective. The above tips will help you take a proactive approach to maintaining your health and wellness.
At Virginian, our Richmond senior living community, we know all about the importance of wellness. This is why we give our residents the ability to choose between a wide range of memorable activities designed to keep things exciting!
Interested in joining our provincial community? There's still time to take advantage of our limited-time summer move-in special! Contact us here to learn more about our offers, services, and guarantees!