Aging is an inevitable part of life, unfortunately out of our control. However, how you age and the rate at which you age is determined by how you treat your body and mind daily. Taking control of your aging process can be simple by following some guidelines curated by our team. Universus Physical Therapy & Wellness, a premium physical therapy clinic in Huntington, NY, is here to help promote a healthy lifestyle for our patients, so they can truly make the most of their years.
How You Can Take Control of Your Health
Exercise and Staying Physically Active
Living a sedentary life has been shown to increase the risk of chronic illness and early death. Simply incorporating 20-30 min of moderate-intense exercise into your routine at least 4-5 days a week can make a world of difference to your health. Exercising regularly will significantly lower your risk of chronic diseases, including cancer, heart disease, and obesity. It will also help you retain your mobility longer in life, which means more time spent independently.
Adding exercise into your routine is also shown to reduce stress levels and improve the quality of sleep as well as skin and bone health. Regular exercise also has an abundance of mental health benefits, as it has been shown to boost mood and decrease the risk of depression.
Some great options for exercising and staying physically active that our physical therapy clinic in Huntington recommend are:
- Walking/hiking
- Running/jogging
- Weight lifting/resistance training
- Yoga/Meditation
- Biking/Indoor cycling
- Swimming
- Kayaking
- Group exercise classes
Stick to a Healthy Diet
When it comes to maintaining your health, especially in your later years, diet is crucial for aging with grace. Changing your mentality away from the word “dieting” and viewing it instead as a lifestyle change will make eating healthier seem less intimidating and more motivating. It is recommended that you should be eating:
- Fruits and vegetables daily in any form (fresh, frozen, canned)
- Lean protein sources, such as fish, chicken, or beans
- Three ounces or more of whole grains such as bread, cereal, pasta, or rice
- At least three servings of low-fat dairies, such as milk, yogurt, or cheese
- Healthy fats including nuts and oils
As always, our physical therapy clinic in Huntington recommends to avoid processed foods, refined sugars, and unhealthy fats. It is always important to stay balanced. Life can be enjoyed with the things we love to eat and drink, and indulging is important to do on occasion. Having cheat meals is good to do once in a while, but it is essential to isolate that meal and not let it change our mentality and discourage the actions we make for the rest of the day or week.
What we put into our bodies determines how we will feel every day. Be sure to give your body what it needs to have the energy to do the things you love.
Take Care of Your Skin
Your skin is your body’s largest organ! If you are mindful of the way it is being treated, it can help better protect your body by regulating body temperature and other benefits. Protect your skin by wearing quality sunblock and protective clothing when outdoors in strong sun. Stay hydrated, use gentle skincare products and get yearly skin cancer screenings.
Put Your Mental Health First
Living a life where you are happy with limited stress is crucial for longevity. Doing things you love are so important, help keep your mood elevated by:
- Spending time with loved ones and friends and maintaining meaningful relationships
- Accept your age, embrace your surroundings and live with a positive attitude.
- Do things you enjoy- spend time in nature, exercise, adopt a pet, or pursue a new hobby.
Lower Your Stress
Living with high stress can have drastic effects on your body and mind, whether it be premature aging or an increase in your risk of heart disease and other illnesses.
Help relieve your stress by:
- Adopt relaxation techniques including meditation, mindfulness, and yoga.
- Exercise regularly
- Get more adequate sleep!
- Talk to a friend or find a therapist
- Quit smoking and/or drinking; find healthier vices to cope with stress.
Drink Water
Drinking plenty of water helps maintain the regular flow of your digestive system as well as improves brain function and energy levels. Adequate hydration helps reduce signs of aging and promotes healthier skin.
Get Enough Sleep
Adequate sleep is crucial for physical and mental health. Adults should aim for 7-8 hours of sleep every night for proper function. Getting enough sleep has a slew of benefits including:
- Reduce stress and depressing
- Lowers the risk of heart disease and stroke
- Decrease the risk of obesity
- Reduces inflammation
- Improves physical performance
- Improves focus and concentration
See a Doctor or Health Professional Regularly
Visiting a doctor regularly can help them locate problems early before they can develop into a higher risk. How often you visit depends on your age, lifestyle, existing condition, and other factors. However, it is important to ask your doctor how often you should visit for checkups and screenings.
How Can Universus Physical Therapy Help You?
Our physical therapy clinic in Huntington, NY strives to help our patients age gracefully and put them in the best position to live happy, healthy, independent lives. Universus specializes in many areas including chronic pain, women’s health, and injury prevention through strength training programs and hands-on manual therapy.
We want you to visit us before you consider undergoing a surgical procedure that could set you back for months in recovery and have you swimming in medical bills. Our mission is to provide patients with natural, proven solutions to pain and injuries. We have a team of industry experts that have provided highly effective treatments to thousands of patients like you.
Contact Our Physical Therapy Clinic in Huntington, NY Today!
If you are someone who has had a nagging pain or injury that has not been addressed or simply just want to improve your energy and strength levels to get through your day with ease, we are here to help. A healthier life is just a phone call away, and Universus Physical Therapy & Wellness can help be the start of your journey to living happier and more independent. Contact us today to get a FREE consultation (a.k.a. Discovery Visit), you can do this by simply visiting our website or giving us a call at (631) 533-2888!
