Though aging may be a somewhat daunting prospect, it is a natural process that all people (providing they live long enough) will go through. At The Lime in the Coconut Specialty Compounding Pharmacy, our job is to help people age gracefully and healthily. In honor of Healthy Aging Month, we're sharing some of our favorite tips and tricks in this week's blog post.
1. Stay Active
Maintaining an active lifestyle is one of the most important things you can do to not only age well but also to promote longevity. Our bodies operate under a "use it or lose it" modality; if we don't make it a point to stay active as we age, we may lose the ability to do so altogether. Walking, biking, swimming, hiking, yoga, and kayaking are all great examples of fun ways to stay active.
2. Quit Smoking
Smoking is infamous for being terrible for your health, and for good reason. Smoking is closely linked to lung cancer and frequently contributes to asthma, emphysema, and other respiratory diseases. Because of nicotine's highly addictive qualities, it can take several attempts to fully break the smoking habit. However, it's an essential step towards achieving a long, healthy life.
3. Eat Healthy Foods
Contrary to popular belief, a healthy diet can actually be delicious. It may mean substituting some of your old staples for more fruits, veggies, and whole grains, but you will likely feel so much better that the trade-off should easily be worth it. You can pick the exact diet that works best for you, but as a general rule, you should try to avoid consuming too much red meat and foods that are extremely salty, sweet, and/or processed.
4. Stay ConnectedFeeling connected to your friends, family, and/or community is an integral part of aging gracefully. Older adults who lead rather solitary lifestyles are much more likely to develop dementia or Alzheimer's, or pass away earlier. If you live alone, it's important to break up the solitude by volunteering or scheduling frequent visits with friends and family.
5. Quit Drinking
Enjoying alcoholic beverages is a favorite pastime for many people, especially here at the Lake. While the occasional drink here and there may not have too dire of an effect, consuming too much alcohol can lead to serious health problems such as chronic liver inflammation and jaundice. Your liver is responsible for breaking down harmful and/or unnatural substances in the body, but if it becomes overworked from too much alcohol consumption, it may no longer be able to do its job.
6. Get Plenty Of Sleep
Somewhere along the line, "successful" Americans began to pride themselves on their incessantly busy lifestyles. Sleep became viewed as a luxury, rather than a necessity. However, the truth remains that sleep is vital to our health. Adults typically require seven to nine hours of sleep per night to maintain optimum health, but most of us get much less than that. Inadequate sleep can inhibit our immune system and make us more susceptible to mental challenges such as irritability and depression.
7. Avoid Stress
Stress is one of the most abundant and chronic health challenges our society faces today. Stress causes numerous physical and psychological problems, ranging anywhere from headaches to depression, and studies suggest that symptoms like these affect well over half of all Americans. Chronic stress keeps our body in a constant "fight or flight" response state, which weakens our adrenal system and makes us more susceptible to illnesses.
8. Take Control Of Your Health
Don't wait for a healthy lifestyle to magically manifest - take active steps to work towards achieving optimum health as you age. Our compounding pharmacy in Lake Ozark MO will be here to help you in any way we can. In addition to our compounded medication in mid-Missouri, we offer a variety of over-the-counter vitamins and supplements to help you maintain a healthy lifestyle. For more information about our health services at the Lake of the Ozarks, visit our website at www.LimeInTheCoconutRx.com.
Feel As Good On The Inside As You Do On The Outside!
111 Crossings West, Suite 6
PO Box 2145
Lake Ozark, MO 65049
(573) 964-6786
Hours:
Monday-Thursday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday-Thursday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
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