September is Healthy Aging Month and the time to get started on better health practices. The theme this year is curiosity has no age limit. Now in its 34th year, September Is Healthy Aging Month was created to focus attention on the positive aspects of growing older and encourage adults to take greater responsibility for their physical, mental, social, and financial well-being.
Celebrating the month does not require a major event or an elaborate program. Individuals can use September as motivation to try something new or revisit a long-delayed goal. Organizations can create activities that encourage learning, movement, social connection, and new experience. And do not overlook old interests. Sometimes moving forward means going back to something you once enjoyed. Dust off the camera, gardening tools, musical instrument, or sketchbook. Revisit a destination you always wanted to see. Think again about the goal you put aside because life got busy.
The objective is not to fill every minute of September. For seniors, it is important to choose something that makes life more interesting. And the key is to maintain a healthy lifestyle which is critical to reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as dementia, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, arthritis, and cancers.
There are some simple ways to keep track of health and wellness and if available, just being more aware of seniors can get into can be key indicators to good health.
Be physically active – physical activity can improve thinking, reduce risk of depression and anxiety, and help you sleep better.
Maintain a healthy weight – this involves a lifestyle of healthy eating and regular physical activity.
Healthy food – Eat low-fat, low-sodium soups. Add beans to your soups to improve the nutritional value. Use low-fat cheese. Select low-fat ground beef. Incorporate fresh fruits and vegetables into your meals.
Manage blood sugar – learn how to manage your blood sugar, especially if you have diabetes.
Get enough sleep – your mental, social, and emotional health is essential to your overall well-being. For tips on improving mental wellness and sleep, visit.
Blood pressure check – Maintain a healthy blood pressure level – learn the facts about high blood pressure and how to control it.
Staying curious is also a way to maintain healthy aging and can also be social. Some tips include simply having lunch with someone you would like to know better or talking with someone from another generation. Join a club, volunteer for a cause, or attend a community event where you are likely to meet new people. And do not overlook old interests. Sometimes moving forward means going back to something you once enjoyed. Dust off the camera, gardening tools, musical instrument, or sketchbook. Revisit a destination you always wanted to see. Think again about the goal you put aside because life got busy.
Celebrating the month does not require a major event or an elaborate program. Individuals can use September as motivation to try something new or revisit a long-delayed goal. Organizations can create activities that encourage learning, movement, social connection, and new experiences. The objective is not to fill every minute of September. It is to choose something that makes life more interesting.
Here are a few more tips to stay curious as we age:
Learn one new skill.
Visit one place you’ve never been.
Try one new physical activity.
Read about an unfamiliar subject.
Talk with someone from another generation.
Learn to use a new app or technology.
Attend a class, lecture or community program.
Try a new recipe or cuisine.
Revisit an old hobby.
Just remember, September Is Healthy Aging Month is not about trying to reinvent your life in 30 days. It is about recognizing that opportunities to gain experience, grow, connect, and explore do not disappear with age. So, whether you are planning September for yourself or creating a program for hundreds of people, start with one question: What would you like to discover next?
Then take the first step.
