Aging well and staying healthy after 50 is easier said than done. It takes more work to keep your body in peak shape, but it doesn’t have to be difficult! There are many things you can do to keep your body feeling young.
Exercising regularly, eating right, getting yearly screenings and checking in with your provider about any concerns are vital to maintaining your health, especially later in life.
Caring for your mental health is also important to your overall health and quality of life. It affects how we think, feel and act. Making connections with others and finding ways to manage your stress levels and mood are key to healthy aging.
Make Good Habits Now
Healthy habits lead to a healthier life. A recent long-term study showed you can add more than 10 years to your life and help avoid serious illness like cancer, heart disease and diabetes by sticking with certain healthy habits, including:
Eat a healthy diet: Eat more vegetables, fruits, nuts, whole grains and healthy fats. Limit or avoid red and processed meats, sugary drinks, trans fats and too much salt.
Stay active: Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity, like brisk walking or swimming, each day. You don’t even need to do it all at once. Experts say three 10-minute walks may be as effective as one 30-minute walk to lower blood pressure and a two-minute stroll can help keep blood sugar levels stable.
Here are the best exercises to add into your life:
Aerobic exercise — like walking, swimming, running or biking — strengthens your heart and lowers your blood pressure. It can also help your lungs.
Balance-based activities like tai chi can help guard against falls.
Weight training is especially important as we age because it can:
help keep bones strong
increase strength and muscle mass
improve balance
make joints healthier
Don’t smoke. Smoking can increase your risk of developing heart disease, cancer and lung disease. It can also lead to erectile dysfunction and affect fertility.
Limit alcohol. Too much alcohol over a long period of time can increase the risk of heart disease, liver disease and cancer. It can also lower your testosterone levels and cause sexual dysfunction.
Finding a Provider
Getting a yearly physical exam is another important part of staying healthy for life. Screenings for health conditions can help cut the risk of many health problems that are more common in older men, like heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes.
You can use Provider Finder® to find the right doctors for your screenings.
Well onTarget®
Start working with a wellness coach and sign up for self-guided digital courses on managing stress, improving your fitness level and dietary habits, losing or maintaining weight, and improving cholesterol and blood pressure.
Walk with a Doc
Walk with a Doc inspires communities through movement and conversation with physician-led walking groups. With an aim to make hope and well-being accessible to all, Walk with a Doc offers a simple, sustainable solution for exercise, health education and social connection. Health care providers ditch their white coats for a ball cap and sneakers. There’s laughter, education and communication on a level that is altering the healthcare landscape. Find a walk near you or learn more.
SilverSneakers®
SilverSneakers is more than a fitness program. It’s an opportunity to improve your health, gain confidence and connect with your community. Plus, it’s included at no additional cost in your TRS-Care Medicare Advantage plan. Get started today.
Let's Move by UnitedHealthcare
Let's Move by UnitedHealthcare is here to help keep your mind, body and social life active – at no additional cost to you. With simple resources, tools, events and personalized support, Let’s Move helps you explore ways to eat well, stay connected and be financially, physically and mentally fit. To explore, visit letsmovebyuhc.com through your member website.
You can also participate in live, virtual events to learn how to cook healthy meals, be physically active, and explore other wellness topics by visiting the events page.