Seniors can lead an active life

Dr. Purushothaman
August 29, 2013

What is a Healthy Lifestyle?

According to a study by Michigan State University, a healthy lifestyle is defined by four basic criteria:
Not smoking

Holding weight down

Eating right

Exercising
Of the 153,000 respondents, only 3% participated in all four of what are termed healthy lifestyle characteristics.

“We have millions of people now going through adult life leading unhealthy lifestyles and a medical system that can treat illnesses and keep you alive longer than ever before,” said Mathew Reeves, a Michigan State University epidemiologist. “If we don’t turn this around, the costs to society are going to be crippling.”

What can be done to help people change?

Everyone talks about achieving it, but most people have plenty of excuses as to why they can’t, won’t, or don’t want to change their current status. The most common excuse people make for not trying to have a healthy lifestyle is “a lack of time.” Have you ever said to yourself, “Oh, I’m tired, I don’t have time to exercise?” or “I don’t feel like cooking dinner tonight; let’s just get some fast food.”

Yes Dorothy, excuses are real and they are contagious.

Time and health always seem to be at odds with each other. We have time to work, time to commute, time for our business associates, but very little time to spend on ourselves, people we love, or even random people who deserve our attention.

What can you do in 10 minutes or less?

More than you think. In a brief 10 minute window you can release tension, prevent future frustrations, get your blood flowing, etc. In fact, here are 50 things you can do. With time out as an excuse, what are you going to begin doing differently tomorrow? I don't care what it is, the point is, just do something!

Here are some ideas. If you have other thoughts, leave them in the comments!
Brush your teeth

Do 15 sit-ups

Read the health news headlines of the day

Straighten your posture

Eat an apple

Stand up and stretch

Send a friendly email to a friend

Resist the impulse purchase of a candy bar

Post an inspirational quote on Twitter

Do 10 lunges

Drink a glass of water

Smile

Put a package of oatmeal in your pocket or purse for a healthy breakfast or snack

Throw a bottle of water in there as well

Plug your cell phone into the charger

Pay a bill online

Ask to have your salad dressing on the side

Start a dollar jar to be added to once per day

Open a window

Say thank you to someone who deserves it

Take a deep breath

Put on your seat belt

Wake up 10 minutes earlier

Post a comment on a blog

Turn off the lights when you’re the last one out
Aging won’t be a problem, if you are living an active life. Doing your job on your own or with the help of a few helping hands and depending on none should be your lifestyle. When there is no official work to do, you would get plenty of time to work for yourself. We are talking about post retirement living. Retirement homes Toronto make and ideal place to stay put when you are no longer working.

After becoming senior, you would get leave from family responsibilities as your grown up children would no longer require your assistance. Before you become a responsibility for your children, you should relocate to a senior living community and start a new life again. Living with likeminded neighbor would make you feel young from heart. The best part of senior living is that you could take larger social responsibilities to keep you busy.

A long leave from work, plenty of money at hand and handsome monthly pension is what you would get after entering the non-productive age. This age is considered non-productive by companies and not by society. Society needs your help. You can work for society where there is no retirement. At retirement homes Toronto, you would get many opportunities for self development and helping others. You can take to reading, writing or social and religious activities. This is what many seniors are doing at senior living communities.

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