If you want to live well as you age, you must incorporate healthy lifestyle habits daily. Fad diets to regain teenage waistline or a long menu of supplements to improve your energy levels can waste time and money. This is where the role of your primary care providers comes into play. They’ll help you take on the years as gifts rather than burdens and help you feel productive and vigorous.
Here are some tips for maintaining well-being as you age and where you can find the best primary care provider in Sarasota, FL.
Tip #1 Eat a Wide Variety of Healthy Foods
A healthy diet involves eating–not overly limiting one or more food groups or excessive fasting. Instead, plan your meals around several servings of fresh fruits and vegetables, lean, non-processed meats, low-fat dairy, whole grains–bread, cereals, and the like.
These are the mainstays of a heart-healthy diet, reports the American Heart Association, and they go a long way in improving and maintaining those important blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure numbers. If a diet is good for your cardiovascular system, it also benefits your brain and other organ systems, especially as you reach your senior years.
Tip #2 Get Up and Move
Most primary care physicians recommend 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise per week–walking, cycling, and swimming being top choices. They improve muscular strength, balance, coordination, and cardiovascular endurance. Some research shows regular movement of any kind helps maintain and even improve brain health.
Tip #3 Stop All Tobacco and Vaping Products
We all know the dangers of smoking–COPD, heart disease, peripheral artery disease, oral cancer, etc. So, see your primary care doctor for a smoking cessation program because it’s never too late to reap the benefits of a tobacco-free life.
Also, avoid vaping. These e-cigarettes contain chemicals that damage the lungs. So, they are NOT a viable alternative to tobacco.
Tip #4: Connect with Other People
Social isolation leads to depression, heart disease, and dementia. Additionally, lonely people tend to be far less physically active, and sedentariness is a huge risk factor for diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and a whole host of chronic health conditions.
Tip #5 Get Quality Sleep
Sleep–seven to eight hours a night–supports brain function and lowers the risk of dementia and depression. So, set a regular bedtime and stick to it. Shut off the TV and tablet at least two hours before you go to bed, and limit your daily caffeine intake, particularly in the evening.
Tip #6 Get Preventive Care with Your PCP
See your primary care physician for routine blood work, a physical exam,, and a preventive health care plan, including age-appropriate cancer screenings. Keeping an eye on your cognitive function, cholesterol, blood sugars, blood pressure, and more will alert you and your provider to acute and chronic conditions and diseases that can be cured or managed successfully if detected early enough.
Primary Care in Sarasota, FL
Intercoastal Medical Group is home to the best and brightest primary care doctors. Our highlyskilled team of family practice doctors is prepared to help you manage your chronic disease and guide you to recovery. Depending on your preference and proximity, we have multiple locations in Sarasota and Manatee County, Florida. You may view complete location details on our website.
To learn more or arrange a consultation, call Intercoastal Medical Group today at one of our 10 offices or use our convenient online appointment request form.
