5 Things Seniors Must Follow to Safeguard Their Health

Have you ever thought about the days when you could freely enjoy your old age and the true value of life? Here are 5 things you shouldn't do when you get old to help you have a healthy life.

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1. Avoid Exercising in the Early Morning

Many people have a habit of exercising in the early morning. However, for the elderly, high body temperature between 4 and 6 am can lead to high blood pressure. If you do strenuous exercise or walk too much, it can cause cardiac arrest.

There have been many cases of elderly people suffering from strokes after walking, sweating, and showering. Therefore, it is best for seniors to exercise in the late afternoon when it is cooler. Avoid overexertion during exercise.

Exercise should be gentle. Only take a shower 30 minutes to 1 hour after sweating, not immediately after.

The elderly should not wake up too early to exercise. (Illustrative photo)

2. Do Not Stand Up Abruptly

As we age, our reflexes become slower. If we are suddenly called and sit up abruptly, it can lead to a rapid increase in blood pressure. Therefore, not standing or sitting up too quickly is one of the 5 things the elderly should not do.

When called or about to get up, close your eyes for half a minute. Then slowly sit up and rub your hands and feet to warm them. Finally, get out of bed and stand up.

Similarly, when you wake up, do not get up right away, as your body is out of balance and you may fall.

3. Do Not Turn Your Head Suddenly

In the elderly, blood vessels become hardened, so turning your head back suddenly can easily lead to cerebral ischemia, causing dizziness or falls.

When in a normal state and suddenly called, the elderly should turn their whole body slowly, not just their neck.

4. Do Not Stand on One Leg

The elderly have stiff bones and are not as flexible as when they were younger. Therefore, if you stand on one leg while getting dressed, you can easily fall backward. Since the bones of the elderly are fragile and difficult to heal, it is best to sit on the bed when getting dressed.

If you are getting dressed in the bathroom, lean against the wall when putting on your pants to maintain balance and avoid getting tangled in the pants legs. Also, be aware that slippery bathroom floors can lead to falls when changing clothes.

5. Limit Tilting Your Neck Back for Too Long

Normally, there is a lubricant between the vertebrae of the neck to allow for flexible movement. However, as we age, this fluid is produced less.

When tilting your neck back for too long, the cervical vertebrae can damage the blood vessels in the brain, leading to fainting.

Frequently asked questions

As reflexes slow down with age, suddenly standing up can cause a rapid increase in blood pressure. To avoid this, it’s advised to close your eyes for half a minute, then slowly sit up and rub your hands and feet to warm them before standing.

With age, blood vessels become hardened, and sudden head movements can lead to cerebral ischemia, causing dizziness and falls. Instead, the elderly should turn their whole body slowly when called or responding to something.

Due to stiffer bones and reduced flexibility, standing on one leg while dressing can lead to falls. It is recommended that the elderly sit on a bed while dressing to reduce the risk of falling and potential bone injuries.

With age, the fluid between the cervical vertebrae that enables flexible movement is produced less. Tilting the neck back for too long can damage the blood vessels in the brain, leading to fainting.