Health Through The Ages: Advice For Every Generation

There are few things more important in life than your health. It doesn’t matter how old you are, it’s always beneficial to take steps to protect your health and boost your wellbeing. If you have kids or you’re caring for elderly parents or grandparents, this guide will provide you with advice that is geared towards every generation. It’s not always possible to avoid poor health, but it’s worth doing your best to keep illness at bay.

Children’s health

Children have underdeveloped immune systems, and this is why they tend to be susceptible to ailments. Many kids are also risk-takers, which means that bumps and bruises are commonplace. As a parent, it’s natural to be worried about your child’s health, but it’s also important to understand that coughs and colds and the odd scrape or graze are part and parcel of growing up. It’s virtually impossible to steer clear of bugs, especially if your children go to kindergarten or school, but there are things you can do to try and keep germs at arm’s length. Wash your child’s hands on a regular basis, keep up to date with vaccinations and encourage them to put their hand over their mouth when they cough or sneeze. If your child is under the weather, let them rest and ensure they get plenty of fluids. If their condition doesn’t improve or you’re worried that the symptoms seem more severe than a common cold, don’t hesitate to contact your doctor.

Inactivity is an increasingly common problem among children, and health experts are worried that it is even more hazardous than obesity. Try and encourage your kids to be active, get out and about as a family, and set a good example. There’s nothing wrong with movie night, but find the right balance. Exercise is beneficial for physical and mental health, and playing sport can also teach children really valuable life lessons, such as how to work as a team and how to play by the rules.

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Steps to take now for better health in old age

If you’re a parent or you care for other people, you may neglect your own health and wellbeing. Unfortunately, we can never take our health for granted, and this is why it’s so important to do everything possible to set yourself up for the future. It’s never too early to start adopting habits that will benefit you both now and in years to come. You don’t have to completely overhaul your lifestyle. Just make sure that you get enough rest, you’re active, and you have a healthy, balanced diet.

If you don’t move enough, consider taking up classes or changing the way you get to work, for example. Swap driving for cycling or walking and you’ll up your step count and save yourself money. Go for bike rides with the kids, join a running club or make it your mission to take a walk every evening. Exercise will lift your mood, strengthen your muscles and bones, and reduce the risk of cardiovascular complications.

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If your diet isn’t brilliant, making simple adjustments could make a huge difference. Cut down on saturated fats and sugars, increase your intake of fiber and fruits and vegetables and keep an eye on your calorie intake. Many of us eat more than we need to without even realizing. It’s a good idea to keep a food diary to ensure that your diet is balanced. If you are overweight, this can also help you lose weight by controlling your calorie intake and flagging up issues that may be contributing to weight gain, for example, consuming too much sugar on a daily basis.

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More than 10 percent of adults in the US suffer from persistent sleep problems. If you struggle to get enough rest and you feel tired all the time, try and identify possible causes. Are you going to bed in the early hours? Are you stressed or anxious? Are noises outside keeping you up? Is your room too light or do you find it impossible to get comfortable? Try and adopt a sleep routine, which enables you to relax before you go to bed and get enough rest. If you can set a time to go to sleep and get up, this will help your body clock to adjust. It’s also worth adapting your sleeping environment to make it darker, quieter and more relaxing. If stress is getting to you, try exercising on a daily basis, meditate or offload on a friend or family member. If you’re still finding life difficult, consider talking to your doctor or a therapist.

 

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Caring for older people

As you get older, it’s common to take on the role of carer. Having looked after you all your life, you may find that your parents now need your help. Your parents may still be fit and healthy, but you might notice that they find everyday tasks increasingly difficult or they struggle to get out as much as they’d like. You may be able to help out by offering lifts, preparing meals and doing the grocery shopping, but it is a good idea to consider options like home health care if your parents need medical help or you’re finding it tough to balance the different roles. There are many illnesses that are more common in older people, including heart disease, osteoporosis and depression. It’s not possible to prevent every illness, but there are ways of reducing risks. Encourage your relatives to stay active, make it easier for them to stay in touch with friends and family, and try and ensure that they have a healthy diet. Perhaps you could help out by taking them to an exercise class, for example, ballroom dancing, once a week or going for a walk with them every couple of days to keep them moving. You could also seek advice about indoor exercise if they have mobility issues. You could also show them how to use social media or emails and text messages to contact friends and help them out with lifts if they want to go for a coffee or attend community groups. Mental health is as important as physical health and socializing can work wonders for your mindset.

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Our health is something we should prioritize throughout our lives. If you’re used to caring for children or elderly relatives, hopefully, this guide will help you do the best for your family while also encouraging you to look after yourself.