Despite living a long and fulfilled life, there aren’t any reasons why an older person shouldn’t change their habits for the better. Although one may argue that it hasn’t affected them as of yet, the body keeps score and bad habits can catch up with us any day. Here are 19 things that people over the age of 60 should stop doing.
Smoking
It’s no secret that smoking is bad for us. People consume cigarettes when brands literally have written and visual warnings of what cigarettes can do to our health. Older people in particular should stop smoking, especially if they’ve been smoking their entire life. While they may dismiss its effects if they still feel healthy, smoking can lead to a range of issues outside of lung health for old people, including diabetes, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, and more.
Drinking Alcohol
Similarly, alcohol doesn’t do the brain or the body any favors either. While our memories may be filled with alcohol-fueled nights with friends and family, alcohol is a neurotoxin that kills brain cells. When we are older, our brain and body are more susceptible to the effects of these toxic substances.
Avoid Seeking Help
Older people may be more stubborn because they want to prove to people that they are independent and self-reliant. But avoiding help and support from others is a sure way to social isolation and experiencing negative health effects. No matter how resilient one’s body and mind were in the past, we require more support as we age.
Ignoring Fitness
Some people say that old people can’t exercise. Others adopt the notion that our bodies become old because we don’t exercise. Neglecting our fitness is the biggest mistake that anyone can make, no matter their age. A study shows that even a 60-year-old who engages in weightlifting has higher bone density and muscle mass than someone much younger who doesn’t exercise at all.
Avoid Health Check-Ups
While we may feel healthy despite our age, it’s still important that we go to regular check-ups and don’t ignore nagging pains. Health problems can manifest without us noticing, so it is especially necessary for older people to visit the doctor regularly.
Reject Vaccinations
Since the pandemic, there has been a growing trend when it comes to rejecting vaccinations. From conspiracies such as government monitoring to worrying about its adverse effects, people have seemed to forget that vaccinations have kept us healthy and helped us eradicate certain diseases such as strains of polio.
Stop Reading
They say that a reader has lived a thousand lives. Reading is not only an enjoyable way to start the day or wind down, but it keeps our brain healthy. Studies show that reading can foster memorization and reduce the decline in basic cognitive functions as we age.
Socially Isolate Themselves
One of the worst things that someone can do for themselves is to stop socializing with others. While it is okay that some of us are introverted and don’t regularly seek stimulation in the form of socializing, social isolation has adverse mental health effects. From suffering disorders such as anxiety and depression to developing dementia, social isolation can cause many psychological issues.
Stop Learning
Similar to exercise, one should never stop learning new things. An old dog can’t learn new tricks, some people say, but others will argue that learning new tricks stops you from becoming old. Learning new things builds new pathways in the brain and supports cognitive functions, keeping us psychologically healthy and reinforced.
Eat Low-Quality Foods
Eating low-quality foods is easier when we are younger. But there comes a point in our lives where we have to ditch fast food in favor of nutritious and organic foods. Agings affect what our bodies need, and this can also lead to nutrient deficiencies. Because of this, we need to be more mindful of what we eat as we age.
Stay Up Late
Staying up late and not getting adequate sleep is one of the worst habits someone can have. It’s a misconception that older people don’t need as much sleep as younger people. High sleep quality is linked to a reduction in cancer and diseases such as Alzheimer’s and more.
Get Up Too Early
Forcing yourself to get up early is another mistake many older people make. Especially if you are retired, it’s important to ease into the morning and not sacrifice your sleep in order to get up exactly at 6 am.
Ignore Stress
Stress affects us not just mentally but physically. If you are suffering from stress, it’s important to develop positive habits to combat this such as mindfulness or meditation. Stress is strongly correlated with a number of severe mental health disorders.
Neglect Sunscreen
Not only is sunscreen important in reducing our likelihood of developing skin cancer, it is potentially the best way to preserve our youth. Sunscreen offers benefits that prevent us from looking old.
Wear Restrictive Shoes
Wearing restrictive shoes can lead to deformities in our feet. A shoe that doesn’t offer our toes adequate space to breathe leaves us more vulnerable to developing muscle issues and it also diminishes our balance. This makes older people more vulnerable to falling.
Neglect Dental Health
Our dental health can suffer at any point in our life. Just because if someone has maintained good dental and oral health for so long, it doesn’t make them exempt from issues related to eating a low-quality diet or smoking cigarettes.
Ignore Balance Work
In addition to improving fitness, older people should prioritize working on their balance. Falling is the most common form of traumatic brain injury. Not only does this reduce the risk of falling, but it also improves our cognitive skills and coordination.
Skimp on Eyes
You should never skimp on your eyes. If your eyesight is getting worse or you are noticing issues with it, it is imperative that older people in particular get a check-up before it worsens.
Dismiss the Importance of Hydration
Studies show that 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated. This is because people consume alcohol, caffeine, and sodium in excess, which negates their water consumption. Hydration is key to lubricating our joints, keeping our organs healthy, and maintaining brain performance.
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