How to Put the Spring Back in Your Step

There’s no avoiding it; with increasing age can come a whole host of new challenges, and with them, seemingly random aches and pains. Fingers and joints may become sore after mundane chores, and physical undertakings that once brought joy now result in discomfort. Maybe you notice your balance has been a little off, or that it’s more difficult to lift that laundry basket than it used to be. It can be easy to become discouraged away from participating in activities that bring on these symptoms, but fortunately, there are simple methods available to help put the spring back in your step.

Get Some Sleep

The importance of sleep has become highly undervalued in today’s culture of busyness. But making sleep a priority is one of the most straightforward changes you can make for your health. For some, it’s the lure of a few episodes of their favorite show. Going to sleep can seem like a productivity killer for those who try and maximize every minute of their day. After all, time spent awake can be time spent doing life’s many important tasks. Sleep, however, plays an important role in helping your body recover from exercises and the rigors of the day. A lack of sleep can lead to feelings of lethargy, problems concentrating, and an overall feeling of malaise. Not to mention a close association with health concerns such as depression and anxiety, obesity, hypertension, heart attacks and weakened immunity. Try to get as much sleep as possible by avoiding caffeinated beverages in the evening or watching TV before going to bed. 6-8 hours a night should be your minimum goal. Your body will thank you.

Get and Stay Active

Since professions that require long hours spent at a desk in front of the computer are becoming more and more commonplace, so is the prevalence of health disorders linked to physical inactivity. Even if you’re already in good health and involved in a variety of activities, staying consistent is the key. If you’re looking to start increasing your activity, make a goal to get 30 minutes a day of some kind of activity that raises your heart rate. A brisk walk, a bike ride, a swim or even an online video is an easy place to start.

If aches and pains are preventing you from getting and staying active, physical therapy can get you back on track. A physical therapist is a highly trained medical professional who can help you achieve your physical fitness goals. After an evaluation, your physical therapist can put together an individualized treatment program that addresses your specific needs.

Drink Plenty of Fluids

Your body needs a lot of fluids to function. According to science, water makes up 50-70% of your body weight, and every cell, tissue and organ in your body needs it to work properly. Lack of water, or dehydration, can cause a host of health problems, from mild to severe. Even mild dehydration causes you to feel tired.

Throughout the course of a day, it can be relatively easy to become dehydrated. For many, coffee is a necessary addition to any workday. Depending on who you ask, coffee may or may not count as part of daily fluid intake. However, the experts agree that the more caffeinated the coffee, the greater the short-term diuretic effect (Meaning you may need to drink a little extra water to compensate for the diuretic effect.) Water is the BEST choice to meet daily hydration goals, but tea and even carbonated beverages can help you meet your goals.

How much water you need to drink daily depends on factors like your general health, activity level, and climate. Generally your fluid intake is probably adequate if you rarely feel thirsty and your  urine is colorless or very light yellow. For specific hydration recommendations you should talk to your doctor or dietician.

So if you’ve tried all the above and are just not getting that spring in your step, give us a call for a free assessment, we can help. You’ll be feeling like your old self in no time!