Nap Regularly to Overcome Fatigue
As we age, we face many physical challenges. Our eyesight begins to fail, we develop new aches and pains, and our bodies fatigue more easily in general. It can be hard to handle these things. We don’t want to believe that we are getting older. We saw it happen to our grandparents and then to our parents, but that was them, not us. It can be very difficult to accept that we too are aging, but we do not have to give up on ourselves just because this aging process is happening. We can choose to stop taking care of ourselves. That is an option. But what happens when we do that? We continue aging anyway. So, let’s take a look at our best options for taking care of our bodies as we age. What changes physically and what can we do about it?
- Skin – Our skin tends to lose some of its elasticity (doctors call this our skin’s turgor) as we age causing it to wrinkle and become lined. This happens because we produce less oil and our skin becomes more dry as a result. This means less pimples! Use Vitamin E, olive oil, or coconut oil to keep your dry skin moisturized and avoid getting sunburned. Do get some sun, though, you want that Vitamin D!
- Energy level – We naturally fatigue more easily as we age. Use this as an excuse to take more naps! Get to bed on time. Don’t work too hard. These can all be perks of aging.
- Vision – Our vision can decline or we can develop issues like spots or double vision. Visit your doctor regularly, use glasses or contacts to assist, and be sure to get adequate amounts of Vitamin A. Eat your carrots.
- Bones – Bones lose their density as we age, but the effects of smoking, lack of exercise, and the lack of good nutrition will do more damage to bones than age will. Genetics play a part, of course, but be sure to avoid smoking, get good nutrition and continue to exercise as you are able.
- Hearing – Changes in our hearing occur as we age that make it more difficult to hear higher pitched sounds or changes in tone. Sometimes speech sounds garbled. Go with the flow on this one. Get a hearing aid if you need one. Ask people to speak more slowly.
- Metabolism – The composition of body fat and muscle changes as we age due to the slowing or our metabolism. We don’t need as much energy, therefore our body slows our metabolism down. The body doesn’t know that we have an abundance of high calorie foods available to us. Take a cue from your body. Eat foods that are low in calories and high in nutrients.
We may not be able to stop the aging process, but we can do things to help ourselves feel our best while we age. Taking care of ourselves is still, if not even more important as we age. Consider it one of the perks! Now is the time for you to nurture yourself.
