Nobody wants to deal with bad health in their golden years. And yet, many do. 

To minimize your risk of facing serious health issues as get older, here are six things you can do:

1. Pay attention to your diet

Nutrition is at the core of a healthy body and mind. To keep yours in good shape, try to keep a balanced diet that includes ingredients in Provitalize. Avoid lots of sugars, processed meats, and excess salt. Skip packaged foods that contain lots of preservatives, too. Opt for one-ingredient foods instead.

Also, eat lots of vegetables, fruit, and unprocessed foods. Don’t worry about taking supplements since they don’t do much (if anything) unless you have a proven mineral or vitamin deficiency. You also don’t need to count calories. Just eat until satisfied (not till you’re stuffed).

2. Get regular exercise

Another part of aging well is getting regular exercise. 

Choose a sport or hobby that you can do well in your old age, like hiking, swimming, water aerobics, or tennis. You can also lift weights, even if it’s not a lot. This helps fight muscle loss. High-intensity interval training like CrossFit is also effective at helping you lose excess weight. Take a fitness test to see where you’re fitness level is at now.

Whatever you do, remember that consistency is the most important factor in any exercise routine.

3. Keep up your mental fitness

You mental fitness is just as important as your physical fitness. It helps keep your mind sharp and helps stave off memory loss from Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. So don’t neglect it.

You might commit to learning something new, like how to play an instrument or a new game. Or you could take an online class. Learning could be anything as long as it’s challenging and interesting to you.

Other ways to stimulate your mind include doing yoga, meditating, going on walks, and doing art. For example, you could draw, paint, play music, do photography, knit, or make jewelry. The possibilities are endless. 

4. Don’t neglect your social life

It’s easy to keep to yourself more as you get older. You may be less mobile and have fewer friends to visit. But staying social is very important to aging well. It’s been shown to lead to lower stress and anxiety levels, reduced risk of depression, and a longer life overall.

Some ways to stay social include keeping up with friends and family, volunteering at a service organization, and joining a club (like a book club).

All of these activities can help provide needed emotional support, help prevent feelings of isolation, and give your life more sense of purpose. 

5. Get the medical care you need

Despite your best efforts, chances are you will still need some medical care as you get older. 

For example, you may need long-term care if you struggle with daily activities like dressing, eating, bathing, and going to the bathroom. Apply for FreedomCare to have a family member be your caretaker (and get paid for it).

At the very least, see the doctor to get regular checkups. This helps ensure you address any medical issues sooner than later.

6. Sleep well

Lastly, it’s important to get good sleep. Aim for about seven to nine hours per night. 

If you’re struggling to sleep, you may want to invest in a quality mattress or get pillows designed for your sleeping position (side, back, or stomach). In worst case scenarios, you may need sleep medication (e.g. to treat insomnia).

Final thought

You can’t totally eliminate health risks as you age, but you can minimize them. Follow the tips above so that you can live life to the fullest and enjoy every moment.