Holistic Health Practices Senior Men Should Embrace
As we welcome a new season this month, we also observe that June is National Men’s Health Month. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shares some interesting statistics about the health of older adult males. About 24 percent of older adults are in fair or poor health and 67 percent of males between the ages of 65 and 74 have hypertension. This percentage increases with age. It’s not surprising that the leading cause of death in older adult males continues to be heart disease.
Many older adults never envisioned their golden years to be a time of poor health, including senior men. Fortunately, it’s never too late to make changes for the good. By incorporating the four holistic health practices below into their everyday routine, senior men can take steps towards changing the outlook of their future.
The Practice of Stress Management
Most men are familiar with stress. They’ve lived stressful lives, from climbing the corporate ladder to providing for a growing family. Although it’s typical for some stress to subside in later life, retirement isn’t completely stress-free. The first holistic health practice senior men should embrace is the practice of stress management. Stress management techniques, such as mindfulness, practicing yoga, or deep breathing exercises, can help senior men reduce anxiety and improve their mental health. The great news is that practicing stress management takes just a few minutes each day. Places like Sherman Counseling provide professional therapists who can help you identify and cope with stress. Mental Health Match also provides a list of local therapists that can help you manage stress, many of whom offer remote therapy.
The Practice of Nutrition
Many men don’t give much thought to their diet, let alone how much water they drink in a day. Yet, eating a well-balanced diet and drinking plenty of water becomes extremely important in older age. Older adults are susceptible to nutritional deficits and dehydration. Therefore, senior men should strive to make every bite count by eating foods rich in vitamins and minerals. In addition, they should be consuming plenty of water, about 13 cups a day, according to the National Council on Aging. If you are a senior who struggles with preparing healthy meals, Outagamie County offers a Nutrition Program that includes both in-person senior dining meals and home-delivered meal services.
The Practice of Exercise
Another important holistic health practice senior men should embrace is the practice of exercise. Many men associate exercise with improving their physical health. While exercise does help the body physically, there are other benefits of exercise that extend beyond those physical components. Regular exercise improves mood, reduces stress, and enhances cognition. So whether you go for a walk around the neighborhood each day, participate in senior fitness classes like StrongBodies™, or enroll in a pickleball clinic this summer, exercising regularly can help you stay independent and healthy.
The Practice of Socialization
Lastly, senior men need to embrace the practice of socialization. Unfortunately, many elderly men overlook this and suffer the consequences of living life in isolation. Senior men should be aware of the harms of social isolation and take steps to ensure they stay connected. One way to stay connected is to pursue volunteer work. Senior men can explore volunteer opportunities at Volunteer Fox Cities, an organization that connects volunteers with opportunities in the Fox Valley. Another place that offers connections is the Thompson Center on Lourdes. Here, senior men can participate in recreational activities and socialize with their peers in a friendly environment.
Visiting Angels Appleton understands the many challenges senior men face in their golden years. We’re here to help. We offer a variety of home care services that can help support seniors and enable them to age in place. Whether you need assistance with daily tasks, such as dressing or bathing, want help preparing healthy, nutritious meals, or need transportation to fitness classes, volunteer opportunities, or other activities, we’ve got you covered. We schedule care based on your routine and can accommodate your preferred schedule. When you choose us for your home care needs, you can rest assured you are receiving quality care from a company that values seniors. To learn more, please contact us today by calling 920-944-8000.