As we age, a focus on our health becomes more important every day. September has been named the Month of Healthy Aging; a reminder to us that growing older is a beautiful process. The Senior Dental Center would like to encourage you to implement physical, mental, and social wellness practices into your daily routine. These three factors are all important contributors to aging successfully, even more now during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Physical Wellness
Being physically active on a regular basis provides long-term health benefits for people of all ages. By incorporating a minimum of 30 minutes of physical activity for adults and 60 minutes for children – you are:
Preventing chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and stroke
Controlling your weight
Promoting strong bone, muscle, and joint development
Improving sleep optimization
Increasing your energy level and also relieving stress
Mental Wellness
Creating a positive mental space for yourself is a key component to establishing and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. You can improve your mental wellness by:
Being kind to yourself/avoiding self-criticism
Revisiting your favorite hobbies
Learning a new skill
Picking up a new book
Setting realistic goals
Meditating
Social Wellness
Practicing positive social habits will help you build healthy personal relationships and better support systems. Connecting with people virtually or by phone is so important during the pandemic.
Keep in touch with supportive friends and family
Join a club or organization that coincides with your hobbies, values, and/or interests. Many organizations like your local library are providing virtual ways to connect with others.
Participate in activities with your loved ones, but remember to maintain a physical distance (unless they live with you). Here are a few things you can do with the people that live with you:
Take a virtual exercise class
Have a game night
Cook dinner together
At home movie theater
Go for a hike
Do not worry if you live alone you can still socialize with friends and family by:
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