Staying healthy and feeling your best is important at any age. We asked a few providers at Peak Vista Community Health Centers (Peak Vista) for advice on maintaining a healthy lifestyle throughout your 50s and beyond: Stay active: Thomas Weber, MD, provider at Peak Vistaís Convenient Care Center, said, ìYou should aim for at least 30 to 60 minutes of physical activity on most days of the week, including aerobic exercise for heart health and weight-bearing exercise to reduce your risk for osteoporosis.î Find a few activities you enjoy and youíll be more likely to stick with it. ìIf you have been sedentary, you should discuss your exercise program with your primary care provider, especially if interested in more vigorous activities such as running or tennis,î Dr. Weber said. ìYou may need a stress test to rule out underlying (but asymptomatic) heart disease.î Keep an active mind: Studies show that challenging your mind can improve brain function and overall health. Take up an interesting hobby youíve always wanted to learn more about, play cards with friends or join a book club. Improve your diet: ìThe basic principles of maintaining our health into our 50s, 60s and beyond is to be mindful of the foods we eat,î said Sally Bleier, LCSW, Behavioral Health provider at Peak Vistaís Lane Family Health Center. It is important to have a balanced diet that includes proteins, lots of vegetables, fruits, low saturated fats, low sodium and low sugars, and to avoid processed foods full of artificial additives. Most importantly, limit your calories to maintain a healthy weight; if calorie intake exceeds the calories you burn, you will most likely gain weight. Stay updated on vaccinations: As you get older, your immune system weakens and it can be more difficult to fight off infections. Youíre more likely to get diseases like the flu, pneumonia and shingles ó and to have complications that can lead to long-term illnesses. ìFlu and pneumonia are among the top health concerns for the elderly,î Dr. Weber said. ìI often recommend my patients to receive the following vaccinations: influenza shot, TetanusDiphtheria-Pertussis (Tdap), Pneumococcal and the Zoster vaccine to prevent shingles.î Itís important to keep in mind that getting vaccinated can help keep you, your family and your community healthy.Healthy aging means continually reinventing yourself as you pass through landmark ages such as 60, 70, 80 and beyond. It means finding new things you enjoy, learning to adapt to change, staying physically and socially active and feeling connected to your community and loved ones.
