TRAVEL
Making the Most of Your Golden Years
Old age is often referred to as the golden years. After decades of a life filled with memories, both happy and sad, you are in a new stage where things are constantly changing. The main concern for aging individuals is usually their bodies. As the years go by, the physical and mental aspects of your health start to decline, making it harder to maintain independence and avoid aches and pains.
While this may make aging sound like a burden, there are plenty of ways to make the most of your golden years. Let’s talk through some ideas to maximize this stage of your life for taking care of yourself and getting as much enjoyment out of this time as possible.
Pain Management
One of the main complaints of elderly individuals is being in constant pain. Your bones, joints, muscles, and other body systems are likely deteriorating, or at the very least, not operating as optimally as they should. This can result in chronic pain that makes it harder to enjoy life to its fullest. Managing pain becomes a daily practice for many elderly individuals. Physical therapy can certainly play an important role in managing pain, as well as medication. Massage therapy for your neck, legs, and back can be particularly helpful when you have sore muscles or aching joints.
Healthy Diet
The older people get, the more they tend to eat whatever they want. Often, the rationale is that they have lived for this long on a certain diet, so why change it? Or maybe they just want to eat what they want for their remaining years without thinking about the ramifications. This decision could lead to more difficult golden years. Your body needs the right nutrients whether you are four years old or 90. Food is how you get those nutrients into your body. Lean meats, vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and dairy are important to maintain in your diet so that your cells are in a strong position to thrive. Speak with your doctor or a dietician about how to manage vitamins and minerals in old age.
Living Situation
The home that you have lived in may not be suited for your changing needs as you age. Often, elderly individuals have to look for a new living situation. For those with ongoing care needs, mobility issues, or challenges with everyday tasks, a nursing home may be the best option. While staff can provide the needed care, there is also the risk of nursing home negligence that results in sepsis, injuries, or even wrongful death. Another option is to age in place by upgrading your home so that it can meet your current needs. Perhaps you still want independence but desire access to more amenities and people that are your age. In this case, a retirement home or community makes more sense. Choosing the right living situation can elevate your enjoyment of life when your desires and needs are being met.
Exercise Regimen
Physical activity is a pillar of health for people of all ages, but it may be slightly more important for aging individuals. Your body is already declining, so you need to take better care of it if you want to maintain independence. Light and regular exercise should be a part of your routine. For example, you could start biking to improve cardiovascular health. Other low-impact activities like swimming, dancing, pickleball, and walking are also beneficial. You must also know how to moderate your exercise, as your body can no longer handle the stress of intense activities like power-lifting or contact sports.
Traveling
Do you have a bucket list of places that you have never been to? Traveling when you get older is an opportunity to make the most of your golden years. You likely have fewer responsibilities to worry about since the kids are all grown up and you may have retired from a long career. These new experiences can also be invigorating, improving your mental health at a time when it is very important to do so. You don’t have to plan a trip to Bali to enjoy traveling. It could be as simple as driving a few hours to a new part of the state you live in to explore new places.
It’s All About Preparation
Maybe you do not consider yourself old yet but you are starting to worry about the future. No matter what age you are today, preparing yourself well can result in maximizing your golden years. Start considering where you may want to live, whether it is in your own home or a community of others in the same age group. Come up with an exercise and diet routine that will help you maintain physical health. Research the best pain management methods so that you can manage any chronic pains like joint stiffness or muscle soreness.
By preparing now, you can make the most of your golden years and thrive as an elderly individual.
Kenneth is a proud native of sydney, born and raised there. However, he pursued his education abroad and studied in Australia. Kenneth has worked as a journalist for almost a decade, making valuable contributions to prominent publications such as Yahoo News and The Verge. Currently, he serves as a journalist for The Hear Up, where he focuses on covering climate and science news. You can reach Kenneth at [email protected].
