Aging Gracefully

Growing older is inevitable, but there are steps we can take to make it more pleasurable and enjoyable as we do it. 😉

Our health and well-being can be increased just by our lifestyle choices. Now we are all grown women here and know what we should and shouldn’t do, but sometimes we just need a reminder. That’s why I put together this list because even though all of these things should be a “no-brainer”, they aren’t always.

Here are some recommendations:

• Stop smoking-It’s not the 1950’s, you aren’t the Marlboro Man and it’s just not cool. Smoking can cause a multitude of health issues from asthma, to heart disease to lung cancer. If you are having trouble kicking the habit, call the AshLine 1-800-556-6222 for assistance.

• Exercise-Physical activity keeps us young. You don’t have to take hour long aerobics classes everyday, but make a point to walk around your neighborhood or your place of business. Gives you a bit of fresh air and your body will be grateful.

• Eat wisely-Long gone are the days of eating junk food without an after effect. I normally eat pretty clean, but sometimes I make a poor food choice and end up paying the price later. Recently, I was having lunch with a friend at a sandwich shop. My meal came with a bag of chips, I grabbed a bag of Doritos as the only other option was Flamin Hot Cheetos 😬.  I did have another option not to get the chips at all, however…after having just a few chips, I was miserable for hours. My stomach was bloated, I was burpy and felt just awful. Now I’m very conscious in what I put into my body.

• Take calcium and vitamin D supplements-Check with your doctor before taking any new medication or supplement, but these two are quite important for us ladies. I take 50,000 units of vitamin D3 every week. I prefer the D3 over the D2 as it’s more biosimilar to what our bodies create naturally. Now you might think “why does Monita need vitamin D when she lives in Arizona?” Well, even though there is an abundance of sunshine, I don’t spend a whole lot of time outdoors when it’s 118°. This means adding a supplement on a weekly basis.

• Stay hydrated-H2O promotes cardiovascular health.
  When we are dehydrated it lowers our blood volume, so our heart must work harder to pump the reduced amount of blood and get enough oxygen to your cells, which makes everyday activities like walking up stairs–as well as exercise–more difficult.

• Alcohol in moderation-There are plenty of reports that say drinking wine or alcohol can be beneficial and if you are having a single drink in the evening this is perfectly acceptable. Excess alcohol consumption interferes with the brain’s communication pathways, and can affect the way the brain looks and works. These disruptions can change mood and behavior, and make it harder to think clearly and move with coordination.  Drinking can damage the heart, causing problems including: Cardiomyopathy – stretching and drooping of heart muscle, Arrhythmias – irregular heartbeat, stroke, and high blood pressure.

• Get regular dental and physical checkups and lab work– Our health is our wealth and having routine office visits is key to early detection and keeps the lines of communication open with your healthcare professional.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

• Consider bone density scans-A bone-density test is a way to measure the strength of your bones. The DEXA scan, is a type of X-ray. The main reason to have the test is to find and treat serious bone loss, called osteoporosis, and prevent fractures and disability. The best way to prevent bone loss is to exercise regularly and get plenty of calcium and vitamin D.

• Practice safe sex-Getting pregnant isn’t normally the issue here, but rather STD’s. Just because you are adults, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t protect yourself. So put a raincoat on it and keep yourself protected while you’re gettin busy. 😉

• Take medications as directed-I’m not a doctor, I don’t even play one on tv, but working in pharmacy for over 16 years has showed me on multiple occasions the downside of “self diagnosis and self medicating”. If you aren’t sure of a new medication, then ask your doctor or pharmacist for additional information. Your health really is Your responsibility.