Healthy Aging: 4 Small Habits That Make a Big Difference

How taking smaller steps today can build a stronger tomorrow

At Illuminate Insurance Solutions, we care about more than just the coverage. We care about your overall well-being. And healthy aging starts with simple, intentional choices each day.

In this blog, we will dive into some recommendations that could make a big difference in your health and well-being while aging.

Daily Walking

You’ve probably heard it a million times from doctors and family, but we wanted to remind you just one more time 😉! However, we are going to tell you why everyone wants you to walk daily. Knowing the “why” behind it can make a big impact on choosing to do this for you and your health.

According to Senior Services of America, there are many benefits of walking daily like improving cardiac health, lowering blood sugar levels, having stronger bones, joints, and muscles, experiencing better mood and slower cognitive decline, and more!

Again, you might be thinking to yourself, Yes, I have heard these same things over and over. We get it! But let’s dig deeper. Keeping your body agile and strong, your heart healthier, and bettering your mood can have great impact on your quality of life and those around you.

It can mean being the grandparent who gets down on the floor to play, who walks the zoo with the grandkids, who says “yes” to the family vacation instead of sitting it out. Small daily steps today can help create more joyful moments in the future.

Staying Socially Connected

This may come as a no-brainer, but staying social can be a game changer when it comes to aging well. Believe it or not, staying social helps not only your mental wellness, but your physical health too!

UCLA Health has amazing resources as to why staying social is important, but we wanted to share some highlights.

1. When we feel lonely, our body can biologically put up defenses and activate stress. Stress can increase inflammation and lower your mood.

2. Social isolation increases the risk of cognitive decline. This can lead to physical inactivity, depression, and poor sleep.

We want the best for our clients (and whoever is reading this blog, of course), so we have some recommendations to stay socially connected!

• Adopt a pet: Charisse & Riley at Illuminate know firsthand how impactful pets can be! They force you to take care of something other than yourself. They are also wonderful conversation starters. Who doesn’t like talking about their fur babies?

• Go to the gym: Remember how we talked about walking daily earlier? A great way to both move your body and stay socially connected is by going to a gym. Your local gym probably has classes to attend no matter what your age is! Talk about killing two birds with one stone.

• Volunteer: Volunteering is a great way to meet like-minded people. It is also a great option when you want that “feel good” boost! Check out your local churches, animal shelters, or non-profits for more information.

Drinking Enough Water

Did you know, according to UCLA Health, it becomes harder to hold onto water as we age? This is not talked about enough! Have you ever heard about a friend or family member going to the hospital and being told they are severely dehydrated?

This is because as we age, we feel less thirsty and have less impulse to drink water. It is extremely important to consistently have water, as our body truly needs it to survive.

To increase your water intake, we recommend setting hourly alarms (if needed), eating water-rich foods (like watermelon, grapes, cucumbers), and always keeping water within reach. Treat yourself to a nice water bottle that you’ll be sure to keep around!

What’s the Illuminate team’s favorite water bottles you ask? We’re happy to show you!

• Riley: FreeSip® Water Bottle

• Charisse: 32 oz Wide Mouth with Flex Straw Cap

Prioritizing Sleep

Poor sleep can cause numerous health concerns and it is something a lot of people struggle with, especially as we age. Sleep Foundation by Sleep Doctor goes deep into the science on why sleep can be a struggle.

To sum it up, many changes happen as we age when it comes to sleep. Our circadian rhythm changes, we nap more which leads to having a harder time falling asleep at night, and we naturally spend more time in the lighter stages of sleep.

It is important to prioritize your sleep health, so here are some tips to work towards that:

• Move your body! No matter what age you are, movement and exercise can be phenomenal for your sleep.

• Separate your bedroom from the rest of your house. Keeping your bedroom solely for sleep is one of the best hacks for quality sleep. Keep watching your movie and relaxing in the living room. Keeping these things separate gives your body a physical signal that it’s ready to go to bed once you’re in the bedroom.

• Have a bedtime routine. Winding down is also a surefire way to give your body a physical reminder that you’re “getting ready to sleep”. Turn off the electronics, do something relaxing (i.e. take a warm bath, read, journal, etc), and then make your way to bed.

Ready to build a stronger tomorrow?

We want you to feel strong, stay engaged, and keep making memories with the people who matter most. Small habits today can help create a healthier, more active tomorrow.

Be sure to check out our other blog posts for more tips and tricks for building a healthier you!

Disclaimer: This was not written by a medical professional. If you need serious nutritional help, please contact your medical provider. All content and information on this website are for informational and educational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice. Although we are striving to provide great, accurate information, the information presented is not a substitute for any kind of professional advice.