Energy, sleep and memory are complex issues that are interconnected, and they're each very important when discussing life after age 65.
First, you'll want to understand if you have underlying health issues, so get an evaluation with your healthcare provider. Check out your eyesight and have an eye exam every year; do the same with hearing. Hearing tends to decline slowly, and you don't always realize how much you're losing until suddenly.
After you've evaluated your current medical state and your history, look at your lifestyle and the key pillars of wellness such as exercise, sleep, stress, and nutrition. Each one is foundational to your health.
Exercise is essential
Exercise is extremely important in your later years. Regular exercise can help feed your brain and support cognitive function by increasing circulation, and we all know how important cardiovascular exercise is for your heart. Regular exercise also helps keep your bones and joints strong and healthy and will impact your energy levels for the better.
Sitting is definitely the new smoking! Our bodies aren't meant to be sedentary. Get up and move. Motion is lotion to joints, so the more you can move the joints, the better they function. Exercise doesn't have to mean hitting the gym; you can take walks or work in the yard. Find something that works for you and do it regularly. I can't emphasize exercise enough. And try to exercise earlier in the day so it doesn't interfere with your sleep.
Feed your brain and body
For nutrition, consider a Mediterranean diet of heart-healthy oils, fatty fish, nuts, fruits, and veggies to help enhance your wellness, support heart health, and support a healthy inflammatory response. Eating a healthy diet is a cornerstone of wellness inside and out. If you're missing certain nutrients, you may want to consider a multivitamin. Alive!® offers various multivitamin formulas for adults 50+ so you can find one that works for your lifestyle. For example, the Premium Women's 50+ Gummy Multivitamin is made without iron, as many women in their menopausal years don't require extra.
Brain health overall is key to memory. Nutrients that are essential to supporting brain health, to name a few, include choline and DHA. Try to get these through your diet with foods like fish, eggs, meat, and dairy or talk to your healthcare provider about supplementation if needed. Nature's Way® Mega-DHA is a great premium fish oil to support brain and eye health.*
Stress less, sleep better
Take a look at your stress. We all experience stress, but what do you do to decompress? The transition to retirement, albeit a fantastic time of life that should be fulfilling, can be stressful! Stress can also occasionally impact sleep, so if you’re having troubles, it's a good idea to address the why and find a few ways to relax. I love Sleep Tonight™ Melatonin Drops for those nights when you need help drifting off.*
Sleep plays a key role in brain health and memory, as your long-term memories are formed while you sleep. If you're not sleeping because of pain issues, be sure to address that with your practitioner. If frequent urination is keeping you up, it could be a sign of other issues. Check out some great tips for better sleep.
Find purpose and passion
It's also important to think about what you really want to do with your retirement years. Traveling? Spending more time with family? Learning a new skill? One of the best ways to keep your brain and body active is learning a new language or an instrument. Join a bridge club or something similar to have social connection while putting your brain to work. These are fun and fabulous years, so make the most of them and keep a focus on your health to ensure you enjoy every moment.
