Healthy Resolutions to Insure a Happy New Year's For Seniors

The New Year means new starts, and that typically involves making New Year's resolutions. While the old-faithful standbys still exist, adults over the age of 65 can greatly benefit from making healthy resolutions - especially those that help prevent illness and injury. Here are five New Year's resolutions that will keep you feeling young and vibrant.

Participate in Cognitive Health Activities

Mental health is an important aspect of health that we tend to overlook as we extol the benefits of staying physically fit. Keep your mind engaged and stimulated through a language class, book club or by playing brain games and trivia on the computer.

Exercise or start a new physical activity

Exercise doesn't have to be exhausting, and it certainly doesn't have to feel like work. Older adults are increasingly looking to classes such as yoga and tai chi to not only increase physical health, but to meet people and widen their social circles. Other activities like local walking clubs can be found at many senior organizations and community centers.

Eat More Fresh Foods

Processed foods are easy to throw together for a meal, but they come with a host of health issues and concerns, and frankly; they're not worth the hassle. Make a promise to eat more fresh, healthy fruits and vegetables and you'll see a noticeable difference in the way you look and feel - and it takes very little work on your end.

Make Your Home Safer

According to the Centers for Disease Control, one in three adults over the age of 65 falls each year. Many of these falls are preventable, especially if home safety tips are implemented. Tips like moving cords out of walkways, having good lighting near beds and taping down edges of carpeting and rugs can help tremendously to decrease the number and severity of falls for seniors.

Schedule Regular Checkups

Unfortunately, with age comes increased risk of illness and other complications such as high blood pressure, osteoporosis and other medical conditions. Making sure that you schedule a regular annual checkup can help in early detection and prevention.

Not only will these New Year's resolutions improve your mental and physical healthy, they'll provide social opportunities and benefit your life in multiple ways. What are some of your goals and resolutions for the upcoming year?

Healthy New Year's Resolutions for Seniors published Dec 21, 2011 by NYC Senior Care

New Year's 2012 photo credit: freedigitalphotos.net Jannoon028