National Wellness Month: Tips for Seniors in Vista, CA

According to the American Psychological Association, one in every four 65-year-olds will live past age 90. To join them, consider prioritizing your senior wellness in Vista, CA. Making a few small adjustments this National Wellness Month may help improve your physical, emotional, and mental health.

For a healthy lifestyle aging seniors enjoy, we've gathered our top tips for improved wellness. Take a holistic approach with these effective wellness tips for older adults!

Physical Senior Wellness Vista, CA

Add a variety of aerobic, muscle-strengthening, and balance activities to your week. Some activities, like tai chi and yoga, are a combination of all three. You can discover other multicomponent physical activities through your senior living community's fitness program.

Getting 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity can improve your mental and physical health. Popular activities include:

Hiking
Walking
Dancing
Water aerobics
Biking
Yoga

Try participating alongside friends. Exercising together can boost your mood. You can hold each other accountable to participate regularly.

For example, you can take a morning walk together. Walking for 30 minutes a day can deliver more blood and oxygen to your brain cells. This may delay or improve Alzheimer's symptoms.

Other benefits of walking include:

Reduced risk of type 2 diabetes
Lower blood pressure
Reduced risk of heart disease and high cholesterol
Weight management
Reduced stress
Better sleep
Improved muscle and bone health
Improved mood

Aerobic activities can help reduce belly fat. This harmful fat can build up around organs, affecting your metabolic health. Excessive abdominal (visceral) fat is linked to heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

Your muscle mass may decline as you get older. You may lack the energy to complete everyday activities, leading to lost independence.

Consider picking up resistance and strength training this year. These exercises can improve your body composition by strengthening your muscles. Strength training may improve your insulin sensitivity and metabolic rate.

Work with a personal trainer or join group classes to ensure you're using the proper form. This can reduce the risk of injury.

Adjust Your Diet

As you apply these aging in place health tips, consider your daily routine. Start your morning with a healthy, nutritious breakfast to give your body the energy it needs.

Try prioritizing whole foods, including:

Whole grains
Eggs
Fish
Fruits
Vegetables
Healthy fats
Lean proteins
Nuts and seeds

A Mediterranean-style eating pattern may help lower your risk of sudden cardiac death. Follow the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet if you're concerned about heart disease or type 2 diabetes. DASH protocols may help lower your blood pressure.

The MIND diet is a combination of the Mediterranean diet and DASH. This approach may help improve your cognitive health.

Try adding nuts and seeds to your diet. They're packed with a variety of vitamins and minerals. Eating more nuts may help reduce your risk of:

Type 2 diabetes
Heart disease
Stroke

Fatty fish like salmon are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Their anti-inflammatory properties may lower your risk for heart disease and dementia.

Don't forget to stay hydrated! Drinking more water may help promote healthy aging by:

Improving physical performance
Affecting energy levels
Preventing and treating headaches
Relieving constipation
Removing waste
Regulating temperature
Protecting sensitive tissues
Lubricating joints

Explore your senior living community's dining program. You can enjoy nutritious, delicious meals without worrying about shopping or cooking.

Mental Wellness Tips for Older Adults

Getting enough sleep can help you stay alert during the day. Aim for seven to nine hours each night. Otherwise, failing to get adequate sleep can increase your risk of:

Depression
Heart disease
Obesity
Accidents
Dementia

Sleep deprivation may cause beta-amyloid buildup. This protein is associated with Alzheimer's disease.

If you're struggling to get enough sleep, try to lower your stress levels. Chronic stress can:

Increase your risk of Alzheimer's disease
Affect memory
Raise your blood pressure
Increase your risk of type 2 diabetes
Increase your risk of a heart attack
Cause headaches
Increase your risk of depression

Tai chi may help relieve stress. It may also:

Reduce arthritis pain
Increase flexibility
Improve balance (reducing your risk of falls)
Strengthen muscles

You can find tai chi classes and other stress relief techniques through your senior living community's wellness program.

Curb Bad Habits

To improve your senior wellness in Vista, CA, try cutting bad habits like:

Smoking
Excessive alcohol use
Drinking sugary beverages
Consuming refined carbs and trans fats
Eating charred meats

Tobacco use can increase your risk of cancer, heart disease, and other health issues. Excessive alcohol intake may increase your risk of certain types of cancer or liver damage.

Consuming too much sugar could increase your risk of:

Type 2 diabetes
High blood pressure
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Try to limit your intake of ultra-processed foods or sugary beverages. Instead, explore your senior living community's dining program for healthy snacks.

Visit Your Doctor

Visit your doctor regularly for routine health screenings. They can offer personalized healthy lifestyle aging tips based on your needs. Your doctor can monitor your health for signs of age-related disease, such as high blood pressure or cholesterol.

Vista Senior Living Ideas

Make time for socializing as part of your aging in place health routine. Social isolation may increase your risk of depression and cognitive decline.

Instead, explore your senior living community's events and activities calendar. You can find fun ways to spend time with your friends in Vista, CA.

Consider picking up a hobby, such as:

Gardening
Painting or drawing
Writing
Learning an instrument
Learning a new language
Hiking
Playing a sport

These activities can reduce stress and encourage socializing. They can also enhance your self-esteem and cognitive function.

Celebrate National Wellness Month

Take control of your health this National Wellness Month. Applying these tips for healthy aging may improve your mental, physical, and emotional well-being. Remember, you can find more resources through your Vista senior living community.

Our team at Arcadia Place is here to help you live your best life! Our dynamic and rewarding senior living environment offers everything you need.

Discover our exclusive senior lifestyle programs, including engaging activities, a variety of exercise classes, and restaurant-quality dining. Contact us now to schedule your tour!