Heart-healthy habits are important as you age. Your doctor recommended that you start taking better care of yourself as you reach middle age. You’re working full-time and also help your dad, which is exactly why your doctor is bringing up self-care.
It is time to take care of yourself. If you’re in good shape, you’ll be there to help your dad stay in good health. Here are the four healthy habits you need to embrace.
Change Your Diet
Stop saving time by using frozen meals or getting take out. Make healthy meals at home. Your diet needs to embrace vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean protein, and low-fat dairy. Make sure you’re getting enough fiber, vitamins, protein, and minerals from the foods you eat.
If it helps cut down the time it takes, slice or chop vegetables and meats before you put them in the refrigerator or freezer. Use a meal planning app to create weekly menus, build shopping lists, and have step-by-step recipes you can follow when it’s time to cook.
Find Ways to Reduce Stress
Stress is both physically and mentally tough on the body. Finding the best ways to reduce stress is going to help you. For some people, exercise helps exercise. For others, meditation works better.
Find the best activities for lowering your stress. It may help to take a warm bath and have time alone. You might relieve excess stress by going for a long walk in the woods. Explore different options and find the one that works best.
Get Daily Exercise
The daily recommendation for exercise is 30 minutes or more. Take time each day to go for a walk, follow an exercise video, or attend a fitness class. If you’re out of shape, talk to your doctor about working with a physical therapist at first.
Do work and personal responsibilities keep you from being with your parents as much as you’d like to? Don’t worry excessively when you can’t be there. Home care aides can help them out. That gives you the peace of mind you need.
Take Time Off
When you’re a family caregiver, you shouldn’t stop thinking about yourself. You need to leave time to care for yourself. You need time to go out with friends, run errands, and have time for your favorite hobbies. To do this, arrange respite care.
Respite care services arrange to have a caregiver with your dad while you take time off. It’s one of the most important services for the elderly and their family members. Call a home care agency to learn more.
If you or an aging loved one is considering home care in Franktown, CO, please contact the caring staff at SYNERGY HomeCare today at 303-953-9924.
