Archives for Healthy Living

3 Ways To Overcome Social Isolation

3 Ways To Overcome Social Isolation

August 27, 2013 | No Comments

As more baby boomers enter their senior years, they are beginning to make choices as to how they want to live.  Many seniors choose to remain at home to maintain independence, but social isolation can become an unintended side effect.  Here are some ways to overcome it: Volunteer.  Getting active in your community is a great way to stay social while helping others.  Having trouble finding ways to help?  Offer to help keep up the gardens for the local park district.  Answer phones for your PBS telethon.  You can even read newspapers to the blind over the radio.  Have some
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Step Your Way into Heart Health

Step Your Way into Heart Health

August 12, 2013 | No Comments

As we age, heart health becomes more important.  One out of four people will eventually die of heart disease.  So it is important to keep it strong and pumping well. And to do so is easy in theory.  We need to eat right, exercise more, and continue to do those things for the rest of our lives.  We begin well, with having salad for lunch, dutifully pedaling the exercise bicycle, and drinking only water.  But then we begin to slip back into our old habits.  Before we know it, we’re sitting on the couch watching T.V. while eating ice cream! 
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Get Your Immune System In Shape

Get Your Immune System In Shape

August 8, 2013 | No Comments

Even though we think of summer as a healthy time of year, germs are still everywhere.  Your grandchild who hugs you may have a cold.  That grocery store clerk who rang up your veggies may have just gotten over the stomach flu.  We never know when we will next become ill. A great way to ensure that your body is ready to fight those germs off is to get your immune system in shape.  Here are some ways that you can do just that, according to nytimes.com: Eat foods with antioxidants.  Antioxidants protect cells from molecules that can be damaging. 
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The Secret to Eating Right for a Senior

The Secret to Eating Right for a Senior

August 6, 2013 | No Comments

As people age, they need less food to keep them going.  This makes food choices even more imperative.  Gone are the days where you can get away with eating a slice of cake for lunch or a no-veggie dinner.  Balance and variety are keys to any senior’s diet.  Here are some tips to eating well as you age:  1. Protein.  Protein is essential for a healthy body.  It is found in large amounts in meats, dairy, beans, and tofu.  If you have a portion of meat that is the size of a deck of cards, that is 50% of your daily
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Three Common Myths about Dehydration

Three Common Myths about Dehydration

July 31, 2013 | No Comments

Summer is the time of sunshine, fun outside, and barbecues.  It is also the most common time of dehydration.  Here are some myths surrounding dehydration. “I’ll know if I’m dehydrated.” Many people think that the main symptom of dehydration is thirst, so they will know they are dehydrated when they get really thirsty.  Although thirst is a major symptom, other signs such as headaches, nausea, and drowsiness can be overlooked.  If you have a headache in the summertime, try drinking some extra fluids.  You may just be dehydrated. “Hydrating is all about drinking water.” Depending on what you eat, you
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Survey Says Seniors are Generally Happier

Survey Says Seniors are Generally Happier

July 29, 2013 | No Comments

Are seniors the happiest age group?  According to one study, it certainly appears that way! Participants spanning in age from 21 to 73, were asked to do a survey about their happiness, stress, and anxiety every day for two weeks.  The results were that seniors were generally happier and less stressed.  They even had less anxiety about shooting self-videos every day as part of the survey. What’s more is that the seniors felt more comfortable with the emotions they were feeling.  While the younger generations felt guilty for feeling stressed and anxious, the seniors accepted their emotions.  That alone could
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Summer Health and Safety Tips for Seniors

Summer Health and Safety Tips for Seniors

July 22, 2013 | No Comments

Summer is an excellent time to go outside and enjoy the warmth.  Yet it can also be an especially dangerous time for seniors.  Sometimes it can be especially difficult for a senior to tell if she is getting dehydrated or overheated.  Here are some summer health tips for planning time outside but still staying safe:  1. Consider the time.  In most areas of the country, it is warmest between 10a.m. and 3p.m.  It is also the time when the sun is at its brightest, making it easier to get sunburned.  Try avoiding these times by going outside in the early morning
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Health Benefits of the Sun

Health Benefits of the Sun

July 19, 2013 | No Comments

We often think about avoiding the sun in the summer.  We hide inside until it’s cool at dusk.  Or if we have to go out, we hide under a hat and smears of sunscreen. But the sun can have some fantastic health benefits too, in small doses. According to care2.com, Here are a few benefits to catching rays in moderation: 1. Creates Vitamin D. Through a complex process, the sun helps our body produce Vitamin D.  A pre-cursor vitamin is sent to our skin and when it is hit by sunlight it becomes Vitamin D. This vitamin helps keep many parts of our
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Functional Fitness for Seniors

Functional Fitness for Seniors

July 17, 2013 | No Comments

According to seniorjournal.com, many gyms are jumping on a new trend:  functional fitness for seniors.  Functional fitness focuses on endurance, core strength, flexibility, and balance – all essential for seniors to keep up with their activities of daily living.  The fitness centers usually offer these trainer-run programs in the late morning or early afternoon when most others will be working or busy with children.  Many older adults enjoy these classes not only for the physical benefits, but also for the social ones.  Functional fitness classes are becoming more popular all of the time with seniors wishing to keep independent and mobile. The
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Doctors Improve Colonoscopy Prep

Doctors Improve Colonoscopy Prep

July 9, 2013 | No Comments

Colonoscopy. When most people hear the word, they think about drinking a terrible tasting liquid and then spending the rest of the evening in the restroom. The preparation for the procedure is most definitely the majority’s least favorite part. However, colonoscopies are a necessary test to ensure our health. It is recommended that everyone receive one around age 50 and then every decade after that. Nearly 50% of people avoid this potentially life-saving procedure. Doctors have realized that many avoid it because of the preparation and are trying to arrive at solutions to make it more tolerable. The best solution
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