Healthy Solutions for 2010

Every year, the International Council on Active Aging (ICAA) offers activities on how to live a healthy, happy, and active lifestyle. According to polls conducted by AARP and USA Today/ABC News, as we age, happiness stems less from material possessions and more from health, good relationships, and fulfilling activities that keep us engaged in life.

• Invest in a good pair of shoes and socks. When your feet are happy, so are you.

• Play games. Games keep your brain working and cognitive skills healthy.

• Take a walk. Walk around the block, walk to the store, walk a mile. Walking improves lower body strength, maintains mobility, and helps prevent cognitive decline.

• Stand on one leg. Good balance helps you with everyday activities, like reaching into a cupboard, and avoiding falls.

• Visit an eye doctor. A study reported in the Journal of American Medical Association found that almost all the vision impairment in a large group of people over 60 years old could be improved with corrective lenses.

• Increase your physical activity.  There are so many benefits to keeping physically active.  Examples are managing weight, increased energy, and decreased stress.

• Seek out your friends, family and neighbors. Social connections are good for your emotional well being.

• Eat fruits and vegetables to help lower your body weight and cholesterol levels.

• Laugh a lot. Laughing increases circulation, immune system defenses, and mental functioning, while decreasing stress hormones.

• Get enough sleep. Changing your habits is more successful at improving sleep than taking medications.

Small, simple changes can reap such great rewards, and make a tremendous difference in your health and happiness in the new year!