You can’t stop the aging process, but that doesn’t mean it has to be a gloomy prospect. While getting older may not sound like a lot of fun to some people, taking the right steps can make the process far more enjoyable and positive. Too many people assume that they don’t have a choice about what they experience, but these tips for proactive aging can help you stay active, happy, and fulfilled as you age.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), soon the world will have more people over the age of 65 than children under the age of 5. This means you are in good company! As you get older, you’ll likely encounter a health issue or two. But how much these health conditions affect your life may have a lot to do with how well you took care of yourself over the years. People who understand their risks and vulnerabilities are typically better able to cope when it comes time to address any issues.

Osteoporosis: This condition causes bones to deteriorate faster than they can repair themselves, resulting in a higher risk of broken bones. Osteoporosis is more prevalent in women and can be caused by low vitamin D or calcium levels.

Arthritis: When the cartilage between your joints erodes over time, it can cause aches and pains in the back, hips, knees, hands, and feet. Risk factors include overuse of the body part, obesity, prior injuries, genetic predisposition, and smoking.

Vision Issues: vision problems can manifest in many ways, including cataracts and glaucoma. The breakdown of eyesight over time can show up as blurred or double vision, spots, floaters, sudden pain, or redness. Common causes of vision impairment in seniors include smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, and trauma to the eye.

Diabetes: When the body cannot produce adequate insulin to regulate blood sugar levels, diabetes may be the result. Those with diabetes may experience extreme hunger or thirst, frequent urination, blurred vision, or fatigue. Causes of diabetes are often lifestyle-related, although genetic predisposition is also possible.

Depression: Senior citizens often have fewer close friends and family, which can sometimes lead to negative emotions, anxiety, listlessness, self-imposed isolation, or stress. These types of emotions typically lead to feeling inadequate, bored, sad, or lonely.

Preventative and Proactive Aging

Though not all diseases are preventable, cultivating good habits can help individuals to stay healthy for much longer. Some proactive ways to prevent disease or promote good health as you grow older include:

See your doctor. Seeing your physician on a regular basis increases the likelihood of any problem being diagnosed early on. If you begin to note any changes in your body or habits, it wouldn’t hurt to call for an appointment.
Eating a healthy diet. A healthy diet is always mentioned as a vital preventative measure for many age-related ailments. Choosing healthy options can help your body in a myriad of ways. Make sure you are eating nutrient-rich foods that are good for your digestive health.
Lose the negative habits. Bad habits such as smoking or drinking can have severe negative consequences for overall health. Quitting or limiting consumption can significantly impact your health for the better.
Keep people close. It is all too common for all of us to lose track of friends and family. Those who keep close contact with the people they love are more likely to enjoy a happier, healthier life. If you don’t have many people around you, make some new friends! you can join social clubs, take up a new hobby, or take advantage of the social calendar at your adult living residence.
Build a schedule. Time slips away if you fall into a rut, especially if you don’t have many responsibilities. By filling a schedule with manageable activities, your days grow more engaging. Whether it’s simply a trip to the grocery store or a meal with friends – schedule it and give yourself events to look forward to.

Preparedness and prevention are both important when it comes to overall health and wellbeing. Beginning with the right actions makes proactive aging easier and more beneficial.

A Banyan Residence is an assisted living and memory care center in The Villages, Florida.