No matter our age, we all experience body aches and pains. As we age, it's more common than not to feel stiff, especially in our joints. "Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, affecting millions of people worldwide. It occurs when the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones wears down over time."
Retirement is the time you would like to get out and have fun, doing more of what you love to do or you have always wanted to do, and never had the time, not feeling old and stiff. You are not alone, and there are "Simple Tips to Keep Your Joints Healthy" that will help you enjoy a more active lifestyle.
Moving is The Key to Healthy Joints
For some of us, routine exercise is already a big part of our lives, and that is great because the benefits are real, so keep moving! You will feel like doing more because you will get better sleep, and it all leads to weight control, a healthier heart, stronger bones, and muscles. Not to mention, your mental well-being improves. Moving doesn't have to take too much time or be too intense, but our bodies need exercise.
Getting a thirty-minute designated walk is a recommended routine to establish. The more time you can add, the better. When you want to get the most out of walking, getting the right pair of shoes can make a lot of difference to your feet and your joints.
Don't let your walking become a dreaded routine. You may want to add or change it a bit with another low-impact exercise. You may find that you can have a better lifestyle by implementing a routine of low-impact exercises, like swimming, golfing, tai chi, and more, to keep your joints healthy.
Protecting Joints is Also Important
Everyone is different, and it's a good idea that you listen to your body and do not do activities that are too hard on your joints. The goal of joint-protection principles is to decrease pain and reduce the stress or burden placed on the joints.
Good at almost every age, stretching is one of the most important things you can do as you age. It comes with multiple benefits: better range of motion, limber muscles, and better posture and balance, aiding against fall prevention. Like walking, you do not have to put a lot of time into your daily stretch. Ask your doctor if these four stretches may be good for you, as they focus on improving your range of motion.
Weight Control Aids in Joint Protection
Carrying excess body weight adds stress to our joints, especially the weight-bearing joints. Studies have found that weight loss significantly reduces knee pain, function, and stiffness associated with knee osteoarthritis.
The more you keep your body moving, the more calories you are using, and that can equate to losing weight. However, adding in exercise means that you have to make sure that you are eating enough calories to not lose more weight than you need to. Here’s some tips to help you understand calorie intake to help you with your weight control.
Joint Health also Requires Healthy Choices
Eating a well-balanced diet is beneficial at every age. With an anti-inflammatory diet, you have a list of "compliant" food choices that are recommended for better joint health. If you see that you are eating more "non-compliant foods," try substituting them with healthier choices. After leaving "non-compliant foods" behind, you may discover you do not miss them at all.
If you are not getting enough calcium, your bone health may suffer. Ask your doctor to help you know whether you need to add a calcium supplement with Vitamin D, for absorption, into your diet.
If you are looking for some health tips, check out Blue Zones. Their goal is to help everyone everywhere to help live longer, better and is informed by the world's longest-lived cultures.
Take Time to Create a Joint-Healthy Lifestyle
Making changes is not always easy. The good news is that you have a lot more time to concentrate on yourself and your joint health. When you make a few changes in your daily routine to keep your joints healthy, you will see that life is better. One day, you will wake up, and you will feel the difference.
At Moorings Park Communities, we have thoughtfully designed three beautiful campuses where retirees have the freedom to enjoy an active, relaxing, and healthy lifestyle in beautiful Naples, Florida. We look forward to hearing from you and taking you on a private guided tour, in-person or virtual.
