Daily Routines for a Vibrant Senior Lifestyle

Written By Canterfield Management

A vibrant lifestyle is one that has many sources of joy and engagement. These include social interactions, self-care, personal hobbies, and community participation. The preconceived notion is that, as you age, the elements that build a vibrant lifestyle will begin to fade. But that is not the case.

By maintaining daily habits that focus on social engagement and personal care, you can create a vibrant lifestyle for yourself. Building a habit takes time, but with small changes to your routine and staying focused on your long-term goals, you will find that over time you have built a beautiful, joyful life.

Daily Habits for the Body

All Movement is Good Movement

  • Talk to a doctor before starting new exercise routines, if you have health issues.

  • Start with simple activities like walking or gentle stretching. It can make a big difference!

  • Consider these exercises:

    • Balance: standing to sitting, heel to toe walking, wobble board

    • Strength: wall pushups, calf raises, shoulder squeeze

    • Low Impact: swimming, yoga, cycling

    • Cardio: short walks, pickle ball, water aerobics

    • Mobility: neck stretches, hip rotations, knee extensions

Healthy Eating Changes with Age

  • As you age, the metabolism slows and the body requires more of certain nutrients. It’s important to eat foods that benefit your age.

  • Consider these diet changes:

    • Lean Protein: Lean meat, seafood, eggs, beans

    • Fruits & Vegetables: Stick to orange, red, green, and purple colors

    • Whole Grains: Brown rice and whole wheat pasta

    • Low-Fat Dairy: Choose low-fat dairy or dairy alternatives

    • Vitamins & Minerals: Eat foods high in fiber and low in sodium & salt. Focus on potassium, calcium, Vitamin D, and Vitamin B12

    • Proportions: Eat the right amount of food for your age — calculate through USDA’s MyPlatePlan

  • Staying hydrated is critical as well!

Have Regular Check-Ups!

  • Regular screenings help in detecting health issues before they become a problem. In addition, proper health management improves your independence, as it means you are taking charge of yourself!

  • Get a loved one or friend to bring you to appointments if you can’t take yourself.

Daily Habits for the Mind

Social Engagement is Crucial

  • Maintaining social engagement becomes evermore important with age, as it helps to prevents physical and mental health issues associated with isolation. Social connection boosts mental health and well-being.

  • Schedule morning calls with your long-distance friend, or play cards with your neighbor in the afternoons. There are many avenues for engagement — find the one that best suits you.

Mental Activities

  • Continue Learning: pursue a hobby, learn a new skill, volunteer, or take classes

  • Believe in Yourself: Believing in negative stereotypes about memory (“senior moments”) affects your willingness to work on your memory and stay sharp

  • Prioritize Brain Use: Let your brain focus on the important stuff. Rely on calendar alerts, reminders, address books for the menial things

Daily Habits for Mind & Body

Sleep Schedule

  • Adhere to a regular sleep routine. If you’re struggling to go to bed at the same time every night, try reading a book before bed or drinking a sleepy tea. By maintaining a regular sleep schedule, you are improving the quality of your sleep, as well as your physical and mental health.

Canterfield Management
Next

Benefits of Chair Exercises