Growing older is inevitable for us all. With each passing birthday, we grow all the wiser and continue to learn things about the world around us. While some people feel comfortable with growing older, there are undoubtedly others who would prefer to remain young forever. There’s nothing wrong with this, for we have been there once or twice ourselves!
At the same time, some crucial factors must be taken into account when growing older gracefully. This includes the likes of caring for your health in any way, shape, or form. While we feel confident you would know how best to look after yourself when reaching this age, there are some varying aspects of your health that change as you grow older and which might need addressing.
With that being said, you have found yourself in the right place at the right time. Detailed below is the ultimate guide to caring for your health as you reach your fifties. No matter what your circumstances, we feel confident you will find something of value here for you! Get yourself comfortable and read on for more.
Physical Health
Looking after your physical health in every aspect is something we are taught from a young age. Ensuring we get anything adverse addressed by a registered physician is essential and ensures we are in tip-top condition at all times. Naturally, there will be times when you are unwell; this is something that unfortunately cannot be avoided.
However, some things can be done and actions taken to ensure you are looking after your physical health as best as possible. It is common knowledge that your body is more susceptible to certain conditions and injuries as you grow older.
These include such conditions as the following:
Heart Conditions
It is recommended you monitor your alcohol intake throughout your entire adult life, but this is all the more important as you begin to edge closer to your fifties. Risk factors for developing a heart condition increase over time. Assessing these risk factors and making lifestyle changes wherever appropriate will ensure you take care of your heart and overall health.
Also check: How To Reduce High Cholesterol Levels For Healthy Heart
Type Two Diabetes
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) recommends that anyone over forty gets tested frequently for type two diabetes. Identifying and checking the risk factors every three years ensures you do not experience the symptoms without realizing them and do what you can to combat diabetes as soon as possible.
Eye Conditions
Much like other aspects of our physical health, our eyesight is something that naturally decreases over time. If you are anything like us, you have needed glasses or contact lenses for some time! What we would give to be able to see without them! It is estimated that most people in their forties will begin to experience difficulty seeing up close and trouble to adjust to the lighting and glare around them. Attending regular eye tests throughout your adulthood is always recommended, more so when reaching this age.
At the same time, it is not just physical health conditions such as these that you need to be aware of. Other elements of your overall physical health will also require addressing as you get older, some more than others.
Dental Health
Caring for our teeth is something we are taught from a young age. It is drilled into us that we must care for the set of teeth we have, for we only have one. Brushing your teeth two times a day reduces the amount of decay and plaque that should linger in your mouth, reducing the chances of your teeth being damaged.
At the same time, there are some reasons why you should be paying closer attention to your dental health as you grow older. Teeth become brittle as we age, which means you are more susceptible to cracking or chipping your teeth’ enamel.
While this might not appear like that big of a deal to some people, you should always make an effort to get any cracks or chips in your teeth addressed as soon as possible. Chipping your teeth leaves you at risk of developing decay-causing bacteria, which, if left untreated, might contribute to tooth loss.
Also check: A Simple Guide to Maintaining Your Oral Health
Consulting your registered dental practice as soon as possible is paramount. Are you not registered with a dentist? Pure Dentistry is based in Brisbane and provides state-of-the-art dental care for people in your age category and beyond. Encourage your entire family to get regular check-ups, and take extra caution when eating anything particularly hard.
Saliva production can also impact your dental health as you grow older; you produce less saliva as you age, leading to a dry mouth while contributing to tooth decay. Certain medications – including blood pressure tablets – can also lead to a dry mouth. Avoiding anything that might cause a dry mouth will ensure you can produce either natural or artificial saliva.
As mentioned previously, it is not just your physical health that you need to look after as you grow older. Your mental well-being is of utmost importance, and there has been a greater emphasis on what we can do to look after ourselves in this way due to the pandemic. Read on to our final section, where we talk a bit more about caring for your mental health while aging.
Mental Health and Well-Being
It would help if you cared for your mental health, no matter your age. While some people might go their entire lives without struggling, there will be others who experience disparities with their emotions on a daily basis. With social isolation throughout the last eighteen months leading to more focus on our mental well-being, some people reading this might be wondering what they can do moving forward to contribute towards their mental health in those tense moments.
While social isolation and predisposed health conditions will undoubtedly impact your mental well-being, several other lifestyle factors and events can impact your feelings. Experts estimate that factors including grief and loss, financial stress, and loss of independence contribute significantly to the mental well-being of those in their fifties and beyond.
Losing those close to us is not something you are ever prepared for; it would be unnatural not to feel mentally impacted following a life event like this. At the same time, there are things that you can do and resources available for handling life events like these. Using resources like these from various organisations and experts provides you with the tools you need for navigating these emotional rollercoasters.
Paying close attention to your emotions and being aware of your feelings will make a world of a difference overall. While it might not appear like it, your mental well-being can have a secondary impact on your physical health. Addressing any concerns as soon as you feel ready will make a vast difference in how you feel while contributing to your quality of life.
We hope you have found this piece interesting and insightful and leave us with a better idea of what you will need to consider as you grow older. While we hope you don’t encounter any of the health conditions mentioned, there is nothing wrong with being prepared for them!
A fervent champion for holistic well-being, graces this community with her expertise in health and fitness. With a solid educational foundation in physical fitness and a commitment to empowering others, Sara distills her extensive knowledge and experience into actionable insights. Her writing, firmly grounded in evidence-based practices, aims to demystify health complexities and inspire readers to cultivate sustainable habits for a balanced life. As a certified fitness trainer, Sara offers a well-rounded perspective on wellness. Join Sara on this transformative journey towards a happier, healthier, and more vibrant you.
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