Some habits are bad at any age, but experts say certain ones should particularly be avoided for older adults.
Eat This, Not That spoke to experts about what they say people over 50 should avoid. Here are a few of them.
Avoid weight gains
It’s not just in your head: It’s common for you to hold on to weight as you get older.
“Obesity incidence starts increasing in one’s twenties and peaks at 40 to 59, and then decreases slightly after age 60,” Dr. Craig Primack, an obesity medicine physician at the Scottsdale Weight Loss Center in Arizona, told Everyday Health.
Obesity increases the risks of Type 2 diabetes, stroke and heart disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. To avoid weight gain, health enews says to consume plenty of fiber, drink abundant water and add light weight lifting to your routine. If you’re beginning a new regimen, consult your physician.
Don’t ignore snoring
Snoring is more than a potential irritant to your partner. It can indicate health concerns.
Snoring can be a sign of sleep apnea, when breathing repeatedly stops and starts while you sleep. The Mayo Clinic says middle-aged and older adults face a greater risk of central sleep apnea. This occurs when your brain doesn’t send the correct signals to muscles responsible for breathing. See your doctor if you think you may have sleep apnea. They can offer treatment that can ease your symptoms and may prevent other issues.
Avoid stress
Stress can affect people at any age, but it can be harder to manage over 50.
“First, your body can’t physically handle stress the same way it did when you were younger,” Hope Ricciotti, M.D., and Hye-Chun Hur, M.D., M.P.H., editors in chief at Harvard Women’s Health Watch, told Harvard Health. “Your heart and lungs may not have the capacity they once did, and your body may have a harder time recovering from stressful events. In addition, it may be more challenging to cope with stress mentally.”
To manage stress, Verywell Health says you can use methods such as meditation, cognitive puzzles and yoga.
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