5 Ways Older Adults Can Get and Stay Physically Active

As Christians, we understand the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Our physical health is not only important for maintaining our well-being, but also for strengthening our spiritual connection with God. Exercise helps us to remain focused and disciplined; proper nutrition fuels our minds and bodies and keeps us energized; and restful sleep allows us to better handle stressors in life. All of these factors are essential when it comes to cultivating a healthy relationship with God that is based on love and trust. Physical health can be a powerful tool in strengthening our spiritual wellbeing – so don't underestimate its importance! Here are five achievable strategies you can implement in 2023 to ensure a healthy lifestyle:

1. Exercise Daily: Everyone should engage in some form of physical exercise as part of their daily routine, but it's especially important for older adults to keep their bodies moving. Low-impact activities such as walking, swimming, or yoga can provide great benefits and help maintain a healthy weight.

2. Eat Healthy Foods: Eating a balanced diet full of nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables provides essential vitamins and minerals that help support immunity, cognition, muscle strength and overall wellness. Try incorporating traditional "superfoods" like salmon and chia seeds into your diet to get an extra boost!

3. Get Adequate Sleep: Those 65+ require more sleep than younger adults in order to function at optimal levels throughout the day. Without enough restful sleep, you may experience impaired cognitive function and an increased risk of falls or other accidents. Make sure you're getting an average of 7–9 hours per night!

4. Scheduled Checkups: Regular checkups with your primary care physician are key for early detection of potential health problems before they become serious issues down the line. Be sure to also schedule regular screenings for breast cancer (for women), prostate cancer (for men), high blood pressure/high cholesterol, vision/hearing tests, etc., so that any medical issues can be dealt with promptly.

5. Have Fun: And finally - have fun! Connect with family members or friends who share similar interests; join a small group at your church where you can socialize while learning new things; take up a hobby like knitting or painting; even consider taking a class to learn something new - whatever it takes to bring joy into your life!

These five strategies can help you stay physically active and healthy long into the future! With just a few simple changes to one's lifestyle, these tips can drastically improve health outcomes in 2023 – so why not start now?