What are the 5 questions you should ask yourself to live a healthy retirement?
In modern times, improvements in medical standards have dramatically extended the average lifespan, but no matter how long you live, if you are in poor health or your cognitive function is declining, you will not be able to fully enjoy your retirement. Jitka Vseteckova, a senior lecturer in health and social care at the Open University in the UK, and others have introduced 'five questions' to ask yourself in order to spend a healthy retirement.
Are you aging well? Take the five-part quiz that could help change your future
The 'questions to ask yourself' recommended by Vseteckova and her colleagues were developed as part of the ' Take Five to Age Well ' project, jointly organized by the Open University and the charity Age UK. Vseteckova and her colleagues state, 'To enjoy a healthy old age, no single factor is enough. Research has shown that our long-term happiness is shaped by a complex interplay of physical, mental, and social factors. That's why experts, including us, have identified five key areas that provide a solid foundation for a healthy and fulfilling old age, which we call the 'Five Pillars of Healthy Ageing.''
◆1: Are you eating properly?
To enjoy a healthy retirement, people need to eat enough fruits and vegetables , limit their intake of ultra-processed foods like fast food and sweets, and meet their body's changing nutritional needs as they age.
Previous studies have shown that diets such as the Mediterranean diet, which are rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, and seafood, reduce the risk of dementia and other chronic diseases. Additionally, malnutrition is a serious concern for older adults, and protein, in particular, is important for maintaining muscle and bone health .
◆2: Are you staying hydrated?
Drinking enough water is important to
For individuals with life-threatening illnesses or severe dementia who have significantly reduced appetite and the ability to take oral intake, where sugary drinks may be one of their few sources of calories, it is important to prioritize hydration and comfort over strict nutritional guidelines and make decisions based on an individualized care plan.
◆3: Are you moving your body?
To enjoy a healthy retirement, people should avoid sitting for long periods of time and instead regularly exercise to raise their heart rate. A sedentary lifestyle leads to various health risks , so by incorporating simple exercise habits such as walking and combining it with a nutritionally balanced diet, you can prevent osteoporosis and improve your physical and mental health.
◆4: Are you socially connected?
Loneliness increases the risk of
◆5: Are you challenging your brain?
It has been shown that stimulating the brain through activities such as learning, reading,listening to music , and trying new things can help maintain brain health and delay the onset of dementia. While there is no magic solution that will prevent dementia, the accumulation of small actions can have a lasting effect.
'Healthy aging isn't just about avoiding disease. It's about maintaining independence, self-confidence, and quality of life and learning how to age well,' Vseteckova and her colleagues wrote. 'Many effective actions are small and realistic. You don't have to set ambitious goals like running a marathon or give up everything you love.'
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