Getting old is a part of life that we just can’t avoid, despite how much we would like to. Before you know it, you are heading into the senior years of your life and with that, you may start to notice some aches and pains that weren’t there when you were younger. It is natural that your joints and muscles may start to ache or strain as you get older, but this doesn’t mean that you should give up on life and your mobility altogether.
There are many ways that you can take care of your body as you age, to ensure that you have many happy and healthy years ahead of you. Here are some of our top tips on how to look after your joints and muscles as a senior.
Stay Active
As you get older and your body starts to ache, it can be tempting to reduce how much and how often you move, but this could actually make the problem worse. One of the most common causes of muscle and joint pain in seniors is lack of physical activity, therefore you should exercise regularly. If you find it difficult to engage in certain forms of exercise because of your age and sore joints then try doing some low impact exercises such as swimming. Exercise as a senior doesn’t have to be daunting or leave you feeling sore; instead, it can give your muscles the workout they need to retain their strength.
Quit Smoking
It goes without saying that smoking is bad for your health and smoking and tobacco use heightens your risk factors for a lot of different health concerns. These can include cancer and cardiovascular problems, but smoking can harm your joints as well. Smoking has been proven to increase inflammation in all areas of your body, which makes it difficult for you to heal post-injury. So, if you are trying to look after your joints and muscles and want to keep them healthy then you need to give up smoking as soon as possible.
Of course, we know that giving up smoking isn’t that simple, especially if you have been doing it for the majority of your life. But giving up the habit is worth it as it can transform your muscles, joints, and your health overall.
Use Muscle Recovery Equipment
If you do struggle with your muscles as you get older and often feel aches and pains throughout the day, then we would recommend you use muscle recovery equipment to help ease those pains. These are particularly useful after you have exercised and are feeling a bit sore. Muscle recovery equipment works by helping rebuild your muscle fibers after additional stress has been placed on them. Exercise can damage muscle fibers and cause them to come apart, which can cause us pain and discomfort. But by caring for them and using muscle recovery equipment, the fibers can heal and become stronger than before.
One of the best pieces of muscle recovery equipment on the market is the Theragun. It is a great way to ease your muscles and reduce pain from the comfort of your own home. Click here to find the Theragun prime available online at SSENSE, the luxury online retailer, alongside a range of Theragun products that can help you look after your muscles. SSENSE makes it a whole lot easier to get the equipment you need at the click of a button.
Stay Hydrated
Drinking enough water and staying hydrated is a crucial aspect of looking after your body as you get older as it helps your organs work correctly, but it also has a huge impact on your joints and muscles. Around 80% of your body’s cartilage is made up of water, and this refers to the connective tissue that is flexible and cushions your joints. If you fail to drink enough water and keep your body well-hydrated, your body is forced to pull water from your cartilage. This can cause considerable stress on your joints. Therefore, we recommend drinking around eight glasses of water throughout the day, and replacing any soda you drink with water. This will help to hydrate your whole body and protect your heart, joints, and muscles.
If you struggle to drink this much water without running to the bathroom every few minutes, then you should simply listen to your body’s cues. You should have water available at all times and drink whenever you feel thirsty. You should increase how much water you drink when exercising and when the temperature is high.
It can sometimes be difficult to know how to look after your body and provide it with everything it needs as you get older. But by following these tips and recommendations, looking after your joints and muscles is pretty straightforward!
