As you get older, it is essential to maintain a diverse and healthy lifestyle. Doing so helps improve muscle strength, supports mental health and reduces health complications such as heart disease and stroke. Keeping healthy is vital to a fulfilling and happy lifestyle.

However, it’s easy to say these things. How do you actually live a healthy lifestyle? What can you do to keep you heart happy and healthy?

Thankfully, there are many things you can do to help your heart. Here are four ways to keep on top of your health and live the best life possible.

Keeping active

Ageing is inevitable. When going through life, it’s something everyone has to go through.

Introducing exercise to your routine has excellent benefits for your body and mind. It is recommended to complete around 150 minutes of exercise per day. Exercise varies between individuals and should be personalised. Whatever exercise this may be, it should improve strength, flexibility, and balance. Muscles will go through a process of natural decline, which is why maintaining strength is part of the healthy ageing process.

However, apart from the physical benefits, exercise can also benefit mental health. It has been proven to reduce feelings of anxiety and depression as endorphins are produced during exercise. These two factors can also be combined by exercising in a way you find enjoyable, such as dancing, swimming, gardening or cycling.

Enjoying a varied diet

It’s no secret maintaining a balanced diet is essential for heart health. A varied diet will include all the necessary vitamins and minerals our bodies need.

The word diet often makes people think of bland and unexciting pallet; however, that does not need to be the case. As you age, it is not uncommon to become less interested in food, so making healthy foods tempting and appealing can be a beneficial way to change your diet. Fruits and vegetables contain many of the vitamins and minerals that are required.

Still, part of a balanced diet includes fibre-rich foods, keeping hydrated and making health-conscious decisions such as choosing leaner meats or oily fish. There are many guides and recipes online to learn more about what you should eat and inventive ways to try new foods.

Being well rested

As people age, they may notice changes in their sleep patterns and quality of sleep. An area located in the brain is responsible for our circadian rhythms (our body’s natural processes over a 24-hour cycle, which includes our sleep/ wake cycles, hunger and alertness). It ages as we do, which may be a direct influence when we feel tired.

Sleep is essential for resting our bodies, and persistent poor sleep can affect physical health. You can take measures to improve sleep quality, such as reducing distractions. By removing televisions, phones, and bright lights, you will soon notice a positive impact on your sleep.

Other tricks include creating a routine that will help you relax. You should also avoid substances such as alcohol, caffeine and tobacco, as these will affect sleep and also will have adverse effects on your general health.

Check-in with your GP regularly

Going to the doctor for regular health screenings ensures any conditions or chronic diseases can be diagnosed early. However, this isn’t the only benefit. Regular visits also mean risk factors, such as high blood pressure and cholesterol levels, can be monitored closely.

It’s important to consult your doctor before starting a new exercise routine, especially if you have not regularly exercised for long periods. It might even be worth considering the implantation of a pacemaker if there are any underlying health conditions. However, doctors can give you personalised advice concerning your health and address your concerns.

Keep your heart healthy and happy

There are no downsides to being proactive regarding your health and well-being, especially your heart health. Staying active and eating healthy are minor changes to work into your everyday routine that can significantly impact your life. The benefits you will receive from lifestyle changes will result in a happier and more fulfilled life.

Many more years are still to come, and as long as you make the necessary changes, your heart and health will be of a high standard to experience much more of what life has to offer.