Our 60s can be filled with many good, healthy years, but it takes discipline and effort to live a quality life. We can help determine the length of our lives by eliminating bad habits and practicing positive choices and Eat This, Not That! Salud spoke with experts who reveal their tips for living a long and healthy life. Read on and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure signs you’ve already had COVID.
Dr. Jacob Hascalovici MD, PhD, Of course The medical director tells us: “Bodies and minds are often very tough and resilient. However, they can only take so much, so it becomes more and more important to take care of them as we age. Although “being healthy” is often presented as a set of “Don’ts,” practicing good health is often a matter of trading in more vibrant and supportive habits for ones that may be holding you down. If any of the habits below are true for you and you’re headed into your 60s or older, think about how you could kick that habit and put a healthier one in its place.”
Dr. Hascalovici says: “Smoking may be your favorite way to relax or just a deeply ingrained habit… it’s also deadly. It increases the risks of many chronic conditions and can make it harder for any injury to heal, which becomes more difficult to treat as you age. As soon as you quit or slow down, the body begins to recover. What could you do to relax?
Dr. Hascalovici explains: “Sitting kills! It can lead to more problems with heart health, muscle loss, weaker bones, weight gain, and mood disorders. Although it seems like it should be relaxing, sitting or being sedentary actually hurts us a lot. It deprives us of natural hormones that lift our spirits and weakens our bodies. The answer is to move more. How might that look to you?”
Dr. Hascalovici explains: “Of all the bad food choices you can make, sugar ranks pretty high on the list. It’s compelling, attractive, and sadly nutritionally empty. Over time, sugar can lead to moodiness, diabetes, and poor health in general. A little goes a long way (and should be enjoyed…but only in moderation!) Sugary sodas, many alcoholic beverages, and even some juices should be avoided. What could you drink instead?
barbara berginMD, a retired Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon, says, “Deep squats are something people over the age of 60 should avoid. As we age, the menisci and superficial cartilage in our knees begin to wear down and weaken. They can’t handle the type of pressures we could tolerate when we were young.Squatting puts tremendous pressure on the knee and can often be responsible for tearing the meniscus and severing the articular cartilage on the surface of our knees.This can lead to the onset of arthritis. The exercise industry currently invests in people doing all kinds of squats, for the benefit of…orthopedic surgeons. After 60, try something else: walking, straight leg raises, swimming, biking.”
heather newgen
Heather Newgen has two decades of experience reporting and writing on health, fitness, entertainment and travel. Heather currently works as a freelancer for various publications. read more
