This article was provided by Strong Well.
As you enter your senior years, life may look different. After all, each stage of life introduces challenges, requirements, and joys you don’t experience at other times. Jason Lewis, personal trainer specializing in helping the senior population and founder of Strong Well, presents some ideas that can help seniors improve their overall quality of life.
Your quality of life, however, can remain high no matter your age. The methods of improving it may change through the years, but it can be as satisfying as ever — or more so — as a senior. The trick is to discover what works best for you. If you’re searching for ways to improve your life, here are three suggestions.
1. Start a Business
Many seniors find fulfillment and happiness by becoming entrepreneurs. While some start businesses using the expertise they built during their careers, others follow a passion or turn a hobby into profit. According to a survey, 27% of workers with a side hustle are more passionate about it than their primary career.
You may need to hire employees once your business is running. If you don’t have the time to read applications, look through profiles, and screen candidates for abilities, working with a staffing agency is an excellent way to help you find highly qualified people.
2. Add Exercise to Your Day
The advantages of daily exercise are well known. Devoting just 30 minutes a day to physical activity can provide many benefits, including stronger joints, reduced disease risk, and healthier muscles and bones.
Talk to your doctor about your health conditions. Experts agree that seniors, including those with chronic illnesses, can find ways to exercise safely. Physical activity can benefit people living with conditions such as Parkinson’s disease or dementia, helping them improve balance and coordination.
The three components of an exercise routine include:
- Endurance and aerobic exercise: Walking, swimming, and cycling are excellent ways to increase heart rate and breathing, helping your body deliver nutrients to tissues and remove waste. If you’re not accustomed to exercising, try three 10-minute sessions per day to help build endurance.
- Strength training: Using resistance bands, weights and bodyweight builds muscle and strengthens bones. Strength training also improves balance.
- Flexibility exercises: Stretching prevents muscle injury, reduces stiffness, and helps with balance.
3. Stay Mindful of Depression
Depression can often affect seniors. Life changes such as retirement, the death of a spouse, or altered physical abilities can affect mental health.
It can be tricky for seniors to recognize the signs of depression. They may believe their feelings are a natural part of getting older or that new symptoms come with age. However, this is not inevitable.
Depression can be more than just feeling sad. Be aware of signs such as:
- Restlessness and irritability
- Lack of energy and motivation
- Aches and pains that increase or come without explanation
- Memory problems
- Lack of physical care, such as skipping meals or personal hygiene
- Loss of interest in hobbies or spending time with others
It’s critical to talk to your doctor if you notice signs of depression. While therapy and medication can help, you can also alleviate symptoms by joining a support group, volunteering, staying connected to others, getting out of the house, caring for a pet, or watching a funny movie.
The path to a high quality of life is different for everyone. Finding what works for you can take time, but it’s essential to keep searching until you discover what makes you happy and fulfilled at the stage you are living.