10 Habits That Could Ruin Life After 70 (and Tips for Avoiding Them)
Life after 70 brings both challenges and opportunities—to make the most of these years and live joyfully, you’ll need to steer clear of typical mistakes that could completely ruin this valuable time. The good news is that with the right guidance (and a little effort on your part!), avoiding these mistakes is incredibly easy.
Clinging to the Same Old Routines
Our minds tend to grow weary of repetition, and when our daily routines become too predictable, we no longer need to make conscious decisions about our next steps. This automation of our schedules, while comfortable, can lead to a rather boring life.
Shake Things Up!
To live the least boring life after 70, it’s great to introduce some variety into your routine. Consider traveling to a new destination, dining at a restaurant you’ve never tried before, or embarking on a fresh project.
These new experiences can breathe new life into your daily routine and offer fresh perspectives that rejuvenate your sense of engagement with the world around you.
Avoiding Exercise
Physical activity becomes even more important as you age. It protects you from serious diseases, lifts your mood, and strengthens your body. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advise that adults aged 65 and older should aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activities like brisk walking each week, which breaks down to about 30 minutes a day for five days.
Alternatively, they might opt for 75 minutes of vigorous activities such as hiking, jogging, or running weekly. Muscle-strengthening activities are also recommended at least twice a week, to help maintain overall health and mobility.
Skipping Health Screenings
Regular medical check-ups are your main defense against the various health issues that can emerge as you age. Staying diligent with your medical appointments and screenings helps prevent future complications and provides a clearer view of your overall health.
Essential Screenings for Seniors
Essential screenings for seniors typically include monitoring blood pressure, bone density scans, cholesterol levels, and specific cancer screenings like those for breast and colorectal cancer.
Additionally, based on your lifestyle and medical history, screenings for infections such as syphilis and chlamydia might also be necessary. Being proactive about your health is key to maintaining your well-being as you age.
Eating Poorly
Indulging in the diet of your younger years might be tempting, but as you age, your body’s nutritional requirements change. Prioritize a balanced diet that includes foods from all food groups: a variety of colorful vegetables and legumes; fruits; grains, particularly those that are wholegrain and high in fiber; lean proteins from meats, poultry, fish, eggs, tofu, and nuts; and dairy or alternatives.
Choosing Healthier Fats and Snacks
It’s advisable to limit intake of foods high in saturated fats such as pastries, processed meats, and fried snacks. Opt instead for foods rich in polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats by choosing oils, nut butters, and avocados over butter and palm oil. Reducing consumption of added salts and sugars in your diet can also help manage health risks.
Not Stimulating Your Mind
Your brain needs exercise just like your body. Research indicates a mixed impact of aging on cognitive abilities. While certain skills like vocabulary appear to be resilient to brain aging (even improving as we age), other cognitive functions such as conceptual reasoning, memory, and processing speed typically decline gradually over time.
Stimulate Your Brain with These Activities
Engage in activities that challenge your intellect like crossword puzzles, reading, or even taking classes in subjects that interest you. This mental engagement is extremely important to keep your cognitive abilities sharp and can delay the progression of age-related cognitive decline.
Shunning Social Interaction
As time passes, there’s a temptation to retreat into your shell, but isolation can take a toll on your mental health. Keep your social networks alive by staying in touch with old friends and making new ones.
Building Bonds in Senior Years
Engaging in community activities or exploring hobbies that connect you with people who share your interests is both fulfilling and essential for your emotional well-being. These interactions can offer significant support and joy in your life.
Making the effort to stay connected will have you appreciating the strong bonds you’ve formed with those who stand by you.
Lacking Purpose
Once you reach the age of 70, the focus often shifts to what truly constitutes a fulfilling life. Thanks to modern medicine, life expectancy in the US has soared, granting many the opportunity to enjoy two or more decades of active, enriching life beyond 70.
Finding New Meaning in Later Years
With each passing year, we continue to evolve and our perspectives change, prompting us to seek new meanings and pleasures. You’ve got lots of options—picking up a new hobby, dedicating time to volunteering, or even continuing some form of work—these activities can infuse your days with joy and a deep sense of achievement.
Embracing these changes can be truly life-changing, opening up a chapter filled with purpose and excitement.
Ignoring Mental Health
It’s easy to overlook mental health, especially if you’re focused on physical well-being, but your mental health is just as important. Common mental health issues among seniors include hoarding syndrome, obsessive-compulsive disorder, various phobias, and post-traumatic stress disorder. It’s also worth noting that anxiety disorders have been diagnosed in nearly 8% of adults over 65.
Tackling Depression and Dementia
Among the most prevalent mental health challenges are depression and dementia, affecting 5% to 7% of those over 60, with anxiety being a significant concern as well, impacting about 3.8% of older adults according to the World Health Organization. This highlights the importance of recognizing and addressing mental health needs in the senior population to improve their well-being.
Coping with Changes and Loss
Seniors may face many challenges such as loss, loneliness, or significant changes in their environment. In such cases, speaking with a therapist or counselor can be immensely beneficial and enhance overall quality of life.
Disregarding Safety at Home
As more older adults choose to live independently, ensuring their safety at home becomes increasingly vital. Common hazards such as falls, burns, and poisonings pose significant risks, and older adults living alone may also be targeted by criminals.
Keep These Numbers Handy
Keep emergency numbers readily accessible next to each phone. This list should include 911, Poison Control (1-800-222-1222), a family member or friend, and your healthcare provider’s office.
Ensure the print is large enough to be easily readable in urgent situations.
Strategies to Reduce Fall Risk
Falls are a major hazard for older adults. If you have issues with walking or balance, or have experienced falls previously, talk to your healthcare provider about a falls risk assessment.
To reduce the risk of falls, always wear non-slip footwear and use any prescribed mobility aids like canes or walkers at all times. Also, make sure that all areas of your home are well-lit and free of obstacles that could cause trips or falls.
Avoiding Fire Hazards at Home
In terms of fire safety, familiarize yourself with escape routes and avoid wearing loose clothing while cooking. Regularly check and maintain electrical appliances and cords, and ensure smoke detectors are functional by testing and replacing their batteries twice a year. Keep heaters well away from flammable materials and never leave candles burning unattended.
Forgetting to Laugh
Research has consistently shown that positive psychological factors can significantly enhance longevity and reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases. On the other hand, physical disabilities and negative psychological states like depression, anxiety, and stress are linked to a higher risk of coronary and cerebrovascular diseases.
How Laughter Makes You Live Longer
In Japan, these trends are reflected in studies that tie the perceived level of life enjoyment and the concept of “ikigai”—a sense of purpose—to lower risks of cardiovascular incidents and mortality.
Remarkably, one study highlights that the daily frequency of laughter alone stands as an independent factor in reducing the risk of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular diseases among the Japanese population.
Laugh Your Way to Better Health!
Engaging in activities that make you laugh, such as watching comedies, sharing jokes with friends, or attending live comedy shows, can effectively elevate your mood and improve your health.
Integrating laughter into your daily routine is a simple, enjoyable way to boost your overall happiness and health after 70!
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