Seniors Site

If we take a closer look on how illnesses and diseases develop, we can easily see that the aging process has a lot to do with it. Whether we like it or not, our system goes in auto-decline or sometimes, parts of it just stop whatever they are assigned to do which signify trouble to the rest of the so-called parts. Our lifestyle is said to be the key to longer, fuller lives but let’s not forget the hereditary factor these illnesses may have. Also, there are things that were embedded in our genes the day we were born which may or may not affect our system in due time.

So why go natural? One, going natural is the best for our environment. If we support sustainable living, going natural is the only thing that makes sense right? And two, chemicals are never, and I repeat, NEVER, good for our body. In fact, chemicals a.k.a synthetic medications are known to trigger some underlying diseases while pretending to cure the ones you may have right now.  With that said, consider your meds to be a give-and-take matter: it will give you some but it will definitely take a lot! The problem is, nowadays meds and drugs seem to be the only way to cure diseases and illnesses. I would like to think that we are victims of times.

Staying young indeed has a lot of benefits especially to a chronologically aging body.  Aside from hearing praises from your wrinkled friends, just imagine the elation you’ll feel when someone mistaken you for someone younger.  Furthermore, you’re less likely to experience major diseases that come with age. While aging is inevitable, there are ways to delay or slow them up so that we can enjoy our lives longer than we are supposed to—and naturally!

·    Hydrate yourself. Tea, water, juices, soups.. just about anything that has water in it is good for you. As we all know, when we age, the body will need hydration more than ever. That’s because the level of hydration in one’s body tends to decrease with age resulting to wrinkled and dry skin.
·    Limit red meat from your diet. Although you may need red meat in your diet, it’s not that important as we age. Lean toward fish, vegetables and fruits as they will supplement most of the nutrients you really need as well as prevent an aging body in developing heart diseases—one of the major killers of all time!
·    Take natural and herbal supplements. Bear in mind that anything that is God given can never be bad for you, instead doubt those manmade ones because you never know what it can do to your body. The reason why you need to consult your doctor before trying any of these is because it may react with your current medications. I would suggest seniors to start them earlier in life while your body still has no need for synthetic supplements and maintenance pills.
·    Be a conscious-eater. Midlife crisis can bring about binge eating but the problem is, even after our midlife phase, we tend to carry our eating portions well into our golden age when we should have been watching what we eat closer than ever. While you’re at it, stay away from fastfood restaurants since they are focusing more on marketing than their costumers’ health.
·    Stay away from psychologically stressful situations. When we are stressed, the brain will fire signals to the body to combat the yet unknown stressor. It will try to find out what it is and since the stressor is not present inside the body, the brain will never stop giving out orders to its troops resulting to the body’s internal imbalance hence the “haywire” feeling that comes with stress. Bear in mind that anything which disrupts your body’s system is bad.

It is always advisable for seniors to get their daily dose of exercise since it helps the body to cope with age-related stress. Seniors are greatly encouraged to participate in anything that will keep their bodies moving, no matter how mild the activity may be. Bottom line is, we all need to move, to get up from that chair and shake immobility away!

One of the most preferred forms of exercise is running. Unfortunately, running, if not done properly can do more damage than good, not only to an aging body but even to the young and reckless. Although running has cardiovascular benefits, it also puts a lot of pressure in the knee and hip area causing pain every now and then. If not given enough attention, or if the body already has underlying disease waiting to happen, this pain can trigger or worsen an ailment. Except of course, if you consider skip, step and repeat as running marathons!

Due to this very obvious hindrance in our path to fit and healthy body, many running-assisting devices were developed. One of these is a shoe invented solely for the purpose of running. A pair of good running shoes helps in supporting and protecting your feet while you run. However, runners should also be aware that even your trusty running shoes can get you hurt. According to a study released December of last year, running shoes only support your feet and never the knees and hips which receive most of the pressure from running. Studies also blame the elevated heels and the overall chunkiness of running shoes to be additional factors in causing injuries when running.

Although this report seems to be a discouraging one, running fanatics should never waver! Manufacturers are always on the lookout for new and inventive ways to improve and ultimately develop the perfect running shoes and I bet, it’s only a matter of time before they do so. In the meantime, for those who are thinking of buying their first pair of running shoes and got overwhelmed by the sheer number of it, here are some few tips to help you get by:

·    Analyze your gait. This is very important as it will help you choose the best running shoes for you. Only a professional runner or a fitness trainer can tell you exactly how you run i.e if you over or under pronate.
·    Buy shoes from stores that specifically sell running stuff such as running shirts, shorts, etc.
·    Take your time in trying several pairs. It’s okay to do that because salesclerks selling running shoes know that fit and form matters and you won’t be able to tell the difference if you don’t try sliding your feet into the shoe. If you feel uncomfortable in doing so, visit several stores and try a few at a time.
·    Some popular brands of running shoes allow the buyer to try running on them first then pay if you’re fully satisfied with the experience. Others will allow you to return them and exchange for another pair if you feel this pair does not compliment your running style.

Our elderly friends have certainly become health buffs in their own right! While exercising seemed impossible for seniors whose generation doesn’t include bulging muscles during their younger years, these alternative methods of keeping one’s body fit indeed got them hooked.

Yoga remains as the most recommended exercise for the elderly because it’s kinder to stiff joints and won’t cause any damage when done with a professional instructor. Aside from that, yoga adapts to one’s capabilities, not the other way around. To further prove that this kind of exercise is ultra safe, there are pregnant women who choose to belong to yoga classes than do any other form of exercise. Some of the known benefits of yoga are fitter and leaner body, relaxed mind and calmer being.

We all know how nasty the affects of old age can get. Fortunately, yoga alleviates these symptoms for a better you by helping you get in touch with yourself and boosting your self-esteem. In a way, yoga prevents emotional problems from occurring while the physical improvement it brings is a surefire way to delay, if not avoid, health problems from occurring. In other words, yoga is good for both mind and body which ultimately creates a positive outlook in a senior’s life.

All yoga poses or body positions have their own effects on the body. For seniors, the most popular of which are poses that can improve blood circulation and flexibility for better range of motion. On the other hand, breathing techniques which are introduced when doing yoga clear the air passages, allowing us to draw air from the lungs more easily.

When doing yoga, it is wise to gauge yourself during sessions. First timers should not find themselves tired and aching after a session, on the contrary, you should be calm and relaxed during and after each session. In order for seniors to achieve this, it is important that you respect your body’s limits and stop when it tells you so. Never, and I repeat NEVER, try to push yourself beyond your limits just because you saw the girl next to you did more. Yoga poses are done only if you can and achieving Yoga’s full benefits mean you should do the positions properly otherwise you are only exposing your body to injuries. Yoga should be simple enough to do, that’s why it has become one of the highly recommended exercises for seniors.

Other milder forms of exercise for seniors are brisk walking, swimming, tai chi and jogging. Exercise helps seniors fight age-related conditions that can affect our overall quality of life. When done on a regular basis, it delays signs of old age significantly.

In our effort to lead a much healthier life this year, we must first raid our own medicine cabinet—in this case, our collection of vitamins and supplements taken on a regular basis to keep us strong and nourished!

It was said that seniors are spending billions every year for supplements that promise better health, improve memory and endurance—sex included. No wonder, as they are considered as the top three concerns in a seniors’ life. In general, anything with the word anti-aging printed on the packaging is sure to grab our attention!

Aside from eating healthy, we seniors need to take additional supplements. Admit it or not, our bodies can no longer process our food the way it used to. The food we eat, no matter how healthy, can no longer provide us our daily nutritional needs. On the other hand, too much synthetic vitamins and we get a chemically-drenched body. With that said, it is but normal to have a balance somewhere.

Nowadays, alternative health products are popular. Part of the reason why there are thousands, if not millions of health products sporting the words “natural” and “herbal” to go along with “anti-aging”. Before we continue with the list of recommended supplements for older adults, it’s highly advisable for seniors to buy only from reputable companies. They may be a little expensive but you know you’re getting the real deal. Also, please remember that anything you take—even food—can react with the medications you are currently taking so it is wise to consult your doctor first if a certain product interests you, to avoid any health complications from happening.

·    Vitamin E. Vitamin E has a long-established reputation of being an anti-aging supplement which works from within. Since it is naturally occurring in our bodies, it is assumed that Vitamin E can do no harm to one’s body when introduced moderately.
·    Calcium. Of course, who doesn’t want stronger bones in their golden years? Unfortunately, it seems that the recommended minimum age for taking calcium is getting lower and lower by the minute! Maybe this generation is not getting enough calcium in their diet hence the supplements.
·    CoQ10. Naturally produced by the body, CoQ10 is said to decrease in number as we age resulting to heart disease, Parkinson’s disease and even cancer. It also aids in metabolic activities inside the body.
·    Garlic. When eaten raw and in large amounts can help stabilize your cholesterol levels, albeit temporarily. Garlic is known to improve blood circulation.
·    Melatonin. For seniors who are having trouble getting their goodnight’s sleep, this is for you! Melatonin is naturally produced by the body but like any other substances found inside of us, it tends to lessen with age.

Holidays are not only meant for giving gifts and exchanging cards. Along with it comes good food and unhealthy practices. While it’s quite understandable due to the jolliness of it all, we should always remember that keeping healthy still means a lot to an aging body but that doesn’t necessarily mean we must miss out on the fun!

By the way, staying healthy is not limited to the physical aspects of it alone. Sometimes, holidays can also bring about emotional and mental stress. In order for us to really enjoy our holidays, we must take some precautionary measures thus allowing us some time to breath. This is really important so that after the holidays, we can easily slip back to our old routines and not feel drained and emptied.

For quick and easy ways to maintain right equilibrium over the holidays, here are some suggestions:

·    Renew your spiritual grounds—Christmas rush can easily make us forget what the holidays are really for. Renewing your faith in God will certainly give you the spiritual satisfaction you might have been looking for.
·    Renew your senses—It’s easy to overlook things that are there for you to see especially if you were bound with obligations and responsibility. This is the perfect time to get to know your self again and discover new things around you.
·    Plan ahead—To plan is to organize. If you plan early, you will be able to do things according to their right timing thus allowing yourself some time to rest and relax before the big day. Also, planning eliminates stress of last-minute whatnots.
·    Let go of your baggage—Holidays can also mean family get-togethers which sometimes prove to be a painful affair. Old quarrels can easily be brought up and long overdue spats rekindled. You, being the oldest of the pack should be the first one to let go of old arguments and promote love within the family.
·    Indulge yourself—Not by eating of course! Indulging yourself should mean keeping your overall outlook happy and light. Treat yourself to a day in spa with your partner or do something you have been meaning to do for quite sometime.
·    Discover outdoors—If you are one of the many seniors working indoors and spending too much time doing everything else over the internet then now is the time to go out and discover the joys of outdoors. You’ll be amazed on how the world evolved the last time you were out!
·    Choose what you eat—People nowadays are more conscious of the food they eat so it’s fairly easy to skip on the unhealthy stuff and be on the healthier side. If you feel you are going in a war zone where healthy foods are not an option, then it’s best to prepare and bring your own food while disguising it as your contribution to the festivities. This way, the host won’t feel offended if you choose not to eat the unhealthy stuff.
·    Stick with your exercise routine—This may be the hardest to keep since it’s really tempting to just sleep, eat and be merry all holiday long. Unfortunately, two weeks of being “merry” will certainly make a dent out of our healthy lifestyle so better exercise than regret later.
·    Hydrate yourself—Make water your best buddy this Christmas. Why? It’s because it’s never good to be dehydrated. That’s why.

This Christmas, it becomes really important to have peace of mind, or else, you don’t stand a chance of having a jolly one! Personally I see peace and Christmas go hand in hand so when you say the latter, the former becomes hundred times magnified that sometimes it almost becomes depressing to even think of.

In this day and age when everyone seems to be restless and running from one place to another is a way of life, it’s quite hard to find some peace of mind amidst all. Due to this fact, peace of mind becomes the most sought after state but indeed an elusive one. For one, peace of mind is practiced. It’s something you follow to avoid stressful thoughts thus achieving calmer mind. This must be the reason why meditation became popular to our age group as the practice sets definite steps to achieve your own peace of mind.

Decluttering your life is the easiest way to achieve peace of mind. Here are some ways on how to find peace of mind and be able to live at peace with yourself:

·    Do without all things negative. Negativity invites negative thoughts because even if you refuse to acknowledge it, negativity seeps into you and settles into your subconscious mind. An example of which is a nasty humor you heard in passing or even a person with negative outlook in life.
·    Never harbor grudges. It’s okay to feel hurt as we are humans with humanly feelings but grudges are altogether a different matter as it sometimes compels you to act upon it in forms of revenge.
·    Worry no more. As long as you’ve done your best, there’s nothing much you can do about something so it’s better to let it go and not to worry about it anymore. If it turns out badly, you know you did your best and that was all you can do.
·    Don’t take everything personally. Things happen for a reason and most of the time, that reason is not you. It’s just that you were there and you got affected by the situation but it doesn’t mean the situation was meant to attack you.
·    If someone is causing you stress, stay away from that person. This person is not healthy for you, that’s all. It also applies to jobs you hate doing.
·    Don’t try changing something that is beyond your control. It’s not everytime that you can change something to your own liking. Learn to accept things as they come.
·    Be more flexible. With maturity comes flexibility. Learning to be flexible will help you adapt faster to your environment thus eliminating the possibility of stress.
·    Know where your limitation lies. As a person, there are things you can do better than others unfortunately, there are some you do only averagely. Trying to push yourself unreasonably will only induce unnecessary stress.

One of the most painful conditions to ever affect seniors is arthritis. Most of the times, it hits mildly, easy enough to manage but discomfort is there, other times, it’s almost crippling! For your information, pain brought about by arthritis can be managed thus allowing seniors to do other enjoyable stuff—things that really matter.

In a nutshell, arthritis is when there’s an existing condition that damages the joint. Literally, arthritis in Greek is inflammation of the joint however, there are many types of arthritis. One of the most popular—at least to us seniors–is osteoarthritis or degenerative arthritis. It is when the cartilages in our joints begin to wear off due to aging. when it becomes thin enough for the two bones to meet, there begins the most excruciating pain ever!

While arthritis in advance age seems inevitable, it’s good to know that it can be delayed and managed by altering our lifestyle. I don’t think arthritis is considered as a lifestyle disease but according to studies, those people who were able to maintain an active lifestyle somehow manage to delay the onset of arthritis. Included in these studies is how diet can trigger an arthritis attack i.e types of food.

But what if we realized all these things a little too late and now we’re stuck with an immobilizing pain brought about by arthritis? Here are some ways to ease the pain and somehow increase your quality of life:

·    Walk, walk, walk. Walking helps in toning muscles in the knee area thus giving your joints better support and lessens the impact on the cartilage. It need not be a mile long, just get yourself used to walking instead of always sitting while doing your chores. Consider this one as an investment as it will also tone the butt area making it look rounder than ever.
·    Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug—your bestfriend! Of course, NSAID has wonderful success rate in alleviating pain especially in cases of arthritis and it can be bought without prescription. Just go easy on it as it is also known to cause ulcers inside us so make sure you take it with food and never exceed recommended dosage.
·    Lose weight. Why? Because, not only will it make you feel and look good, it can also take off tremendous pressure on your knees! We all know that the key to not triggering the pain is to put as little pressure as possible to the joints but it’s quite impossible not to use your hips and knees right? The next best thing is to take off unnecessary weight and be light as possible.
·    Avoid foods that trigger an arthritis attack. Usual suspects:  red meat, tomatoes, eggplants, dairy products, nuts, and caffeine. Please do take note that not all these are to be avoided since a food-induced arthritis attack depends on your own body’s reaction.

Exercising is truly a fun activity to do. Aside from that, it has many great benefits for the body. For one, it helps the body relieve itself of harmful toxins trapped inside by way of sweating. In terms of digestion, I find that it keeps constipation at bay and for some reason, it aids in everyday bowel movement which is a great news for many seniors who have been having trouble in this area. Also, one good reason to exercise is knowing you will feel great afterwards.

Feeling great is only half of the story. When you see aesthetic results finally manifesting right before your eyes, there’s a tendency to work out more or train more to boost your progress. Oftentimes, these good intentions can quickly turn into a disaster especially if you find yourself quite addicted to exercising. It’s no joke, and it really can happen. While training your body to be physically active is good for you, doing it in excess can also do you harm.

Take note that overtraining is not limited to gym-goers only, it can occur in just about any sports as long as you are pushing your body over its comfortable limits. Doubly harmful is going from sedentary lifestyle to an all-out war in making your body fit, taken into consideration is your age, of course. In fact, it is highly advisable for seniors to train under a very watchful eye of a certified fitness instructor each and everytime to avoid straining the body too much. Remember that your body is no longer an oiled machine and it needs time to adjust when introduced to a new lifestyle. Not only that, it also needs to recuperate and get itself together after stressing it no matter how much training you did that day.

Some of the warning signs which will indicate if you are training too much are low energy levels, exhaustion, loss of appetite, depressions and sleeping difficulties. Infections can also occur frequently if the body is experiencing overtraining. If you find yourself having these symptoms, you might want to take it slow by readjusting your fitness program and consulting your doctor about the problems at hand. Or, you can find another fitness activity which suits your body more.

There are two areas in which overtraining can occur. One is too much exertion and another is not having enough breaks in between training. Having to train 4 to 5 times a week makes a lot of difference than training every single day. Exercising should make you feel good, both physically and mentally and it should never feel as if punishing yourself will yield greater results. Adapting a proper mindset will help you get in-tuned with your body all the more.

Your fashion sense should not go as you age. Granted, it’s somewhat insane to wear the clothes you used to love 20 years back and seniors are encouraged to choose comfortable cuts in subdued colors but that doesn’t mean seniors are not allowed to look good and feel good in what they wear everyday!

Bear in mind that “fashion rules” for seniors are made with their health and comfortability in mind. We all know that sometimes being fashionable involves great stress and risks. For one, wearing outrageously high heels are not advisable for seniors since by this time, they couldn’t establish good balance anymore thus it can put seniors in great risk for injuries. No matter how healthy you are right now, being fashionable means knowing what looks great on you regardless of age. Fashion need not be painful; here are some easy fashion tips for elderly women:

·    Forget about fads. Usually they are made for younger people and somewhat unfit for seniors. Don’t seek counsel from magazines too especially if they are not for seniors. The best thing to do is browse through catalogs and online stores selling senior clothes. This way you’ll have an idea of what looks good and what probably won’t work for you.
·    Wear the clothes that compliment your lifestyle. If you are having trouble hand-washing your clothes then go for those you can machine-wash. Having trouble with zippers? Then go for Velcro.
·    Cardigans and sweaters are staples to a senior’s closet. Invest in them by purchasing only those durable ones since they can withstand everyday wear and tear. The greatest thing about this kind of clothing is that they know no age and they do come in cute designs too.
·    Go for comfortable shoes. For everyday shoes, go for flat ones. When you need to wear heels, opt to wear those low-heeled ones so you can still look good and stay safe at the same time.
·    Right accessories make an ensemble even brighter. Choose accessories that will compliment your style. Classic jewelries are the best choice for seniors since they can be paired with almost anything you have in your closet.
·    Lost when it comes to fashion? Take after senior celebrities. Choose your own fashion icon whom you can imitate. Just make sure that the one you have chosen is more or less your size and shape so that you won’t look awkward wearing her style.
·    Wear your self confidence. The clothes you wear don’t make you fashionable, it’s how you carry yourself. When you are comfortable with what you are wearing, you feel great. That alone will warrant great success in being fashionable at any age.

Man boobs in general is an embarrassing condition. However, the causes of man boobs differ from one age bracket to another. When you notice your grandchild to possess man boobs, there’s nothing to worry about yet—given that he is 12 years old or below. This is because a boy going through puberty is expected to have a very confused hormone running through his body and man boobs, almost always come from high levels of girlie hormones in contrast with lowered man hormones. In time, it will eventually go on its own.

On the other hand, man boobs in older adults usually indicate obesity, if not your body is leaning towards roundness and sports a little fat here and there which is okay, if only it kept away from settling around your chest area. But did you know that aside from hormones and fats, there are other causes of man boobs? It seems that in order for you to get rid of your man boobs, you must skim down where it is really coming from or else, it will just go on and on.

Some of the known causes of this very embarrassing condition are hormone, diet, medication and health. Man boobs or medically termed as gynecomastia can be avoided if you know what you are up against. First and foremost, gynecomastia is a reaction of the body no matter what causes it. Second, it is not an immediate health risk but if the cause is not remedied at once, it could lead to other health complications. Most heath care providers don’t recommend surgical removal unless it’s a last resort for the patient.

For seniors with man boobs, try to assess your current health status first before deciding which route to take in getting rid of your man boobs. If it’s your diet and weight, try to lose weight and manage it within an adequate number. Proper diet coupled with chest exercises will eliminate your man boobs faster than you expect. Still, if you suspect that it is your medication reacting with your hormones then consult your doctor at once, preferably the one who prescribed the man-boob inducing drug and ask the good doctor if he or she could perhaps change the prescription. One word of advice though, some doctor would listen to your concerns but a couple of them won’t especially if the prescribed medication is used to treat other illnesses you may have that proved to be more fatal than your man boobs.

However, if a senior is not too fat nor in medication but still suffers man boobs then maybe it’s time to submit yourself to overall health evaluation since it could signify a disease yet to be discovered. Some of serious health conditions that may trigger the development of man boobs are testicular cancer, kidney, thyroid and liver diseases.

Again, it is critical to know the underlying cause of your man boobs since it cannot be completely eliminated if you will just have it removed surgically. Moreover, seniors are not encouraged to undergo unnecessary surgeries especially if it is not life threatening at all since it can aggravate other diseases that you may have.