The pandemic highlighted the importance of staying healthy. This comes as the number of cases increased after the latest variant of the virus arrived in the country. Due to this, you should follow a healthy lifestyle if you want to avoid getting sick during a health crisis.
Following a healthy lifestyle does not only protect you from diseases, but it also protects your loved ones, especially senior adults. Senior adults are more susceptible to getting sick compared to the younger generation. Here are some lifestyle practices that you can follow to ensure you remain healthy during a health crisis.
Get Vaccinated
If you haven’t gotten the vaccine, you should get it to reduce the risk of getting infected by the virus. The vaccine prepares your immune system to fight the virus in case you come close to someone who has the virus. It also helps you avoid getting a serious case of the disease if your get infected with the virus. This is particularly true with the latest variant, which is more transmissible than previous variants of the virus.
You should remember that the vaccine is safe and went through clinical trials to ensure effectiveness. The authorities also continue to monitor it and check its effectiveness on the virus that has evolved over the past two years.
It is essential to get the vaccine to stop the pandemic. The vaccine can stop the spread of the virus if the vast majority of the population gets it. It can also protect people who cannot get vaccinated due to allergies and other health issues. And once you get vaccinated, you can return to the things you used to do before the pandemic started.
Stay Active
Staying active is one of the things you should do to stay healthy. Exercising offers many health benefits, especially if you are living a sedentary lifestyle due to the pandemic. It allows you to control your weight and prevent obesity. But you should make sure to use more calories than the number you gain through eating and drinking. So, you should also follow a healthy diet to control your weight.
Regular exercise also reduces the risk of heart disease since it improves circulation and strengthens your heart. It also lowers your blood pressure and reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes. If you already have diabetes, exercise can help you manage it.
If you are trying to quit smoking, exercising reduces your cravings. It also reduces withdrawal symptoms when you quit the vice. You’ll also build your muscles and strengthen your bones when you exercise regularly.
Senior adults will also reduce the risk of falls when they perform muscle-strengthening and balance exercises. It also stimulates the body and helps it release chemicals that enhance brain function to keep you mentally and intellectually sharp.
Have a Healthy Diet
A balanced diet is also essential for people to stay healthy. Your diet should include good amounts of vegetables, fruits, nuts, whole grains, legumes, and seeds. It should also have fatty fish to give you omega-3 fatty acids to reduce the risk of inflammatory diseases. You should also reduce your salt consumption to reduce the risk of high blood pressure.
Limiting sugar intake also allows you to avoid several diseases, including diabetes, stroke, and heart disease. You should also reduce your consumption of unhealthy fats and stick to eating food with unsaturated fats. While it is challenging to monitor your diet, you should exert the effort to stay healthy.
On the other hand, having a healthy diet for senior adults is easier if they stay in assisted living facilities. They can also opt to get home healthcare services to allow a professional to plan their meals. The professional will ensure these senior adults have the right food to keep them healthy.
Reduce the Vices
You should also reduce your alcohol intake if you want to practice a healthy lifestyle. When you drink alcohol in excessive amounts, you’ll end up damaging your liver and causing you to develop liver disease. Excessive drinking also increases the risk of some cancers. It can also damage your heart, which can result in heart failure.
When you reduce your alcohol consumption, you’ll sleep better at night since alcohol affects your restorative REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. You will also note that your mood will improve when you reduce your alcohol intake. Cutting back on alcohol consumption also reduces the risk of developing dementia. Drinking less alcohol also helps protect the brain’s frontal lobe, which is responsible for motor function and impulse control.
Following a healthy lifestyle is essential to strengthen your immune system and reduce the risk of getting sick in the middle of a health crisis.
