4 Ways to Boost Age-Related Energy Loss

Many want to live longer but aren’t ready for the changes aging brings, while others want to stop the process. Physical changes in the body are part of aging, but it’s no excuse to live a sedentary lifestyle. Unfortunately, some can’t help it because their bodies give up on them earlier than expected. A Canadian government report indicates that inactivity levels could reach 79% among older adults aged sixty-five and above. Age-related energy loss is real but surmountable. When the elderly are able to age with family or in an assisted living community, they tend to be more active for longer. There are many tips that can help those who are aging in place or have different circumstances, though. Below are some crucial points to defy the odds.

1. Nourish your body with relevant nutrients

Food provides the needed fuel for the body, but the truth is that only a few know the nutrient combinations to provide optimum energy. Your body can accommodate a range of edibles when you’re younger, but it’s not the same in old age. As your energy levels deplete and muscles lose their tone, paying critical attention to specific nutrients becomes necessary. Vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants provide the much-needed fuel to power your body while cleansing it of accumulated toxins. Vitamin B-rich foods like lean meats, leafy greens, and whole grains are critical for energy conversion. 

Meanwhile, your aging body requires adequate Omega-3 fatty acids to reduce inflammation. Remember that this is crucial because aging triggers certain inflammations that impact your energy levels. The right nutrients in adequate quantities will also support cognitive function and lead to increased vitality even as you hit the twilight years.

2. Prioritize regular physical activity

It’s almost become cliche whenever you hear the benefits of physical activity. Exercise immensely benefits physical and mental energy levels, as mundane as this may sound. As you age, you need improved cardiovascular health, revamped muscle strength, and endurance. What better way to get all three than through regular physical activity? The key here is regular and not sparse workout routines only when you feel like it. Admittedly, decreased muscle tone and depleting energy stores can make sticking to a regular exercise routine challenging. However, the secret is, to begin with moderate workouts and gradually increase the tempo until your body responds to greater demands. The type of physical activity engaged in will also depend on your health status. For example, isometric exercises like situps, planks, and pushups must be avoided when you have heart disease. It sounds counterproductive to avoid muscle strain when the heart itself is a muscle and requires strengthening. In your case, however, coronary heart disease will respond better to walking, jogging, hamstring curls, and bodyweight lunges. If you’re sixty years and above, it’s best to consult your doctor before engaging in any strenuous workouts.

3. Embrace lifestyle changes with professional support

At some point, seeing a geriatric specialist, not the primary care physician, becomes necessary. The former has more experience handling patients in your age bracket and is better placed to identify early-stage age-related health conditions. You’re assured of an improved quality of life with thorough assessments to rule out any symptoms that may be nothing to worry about. A health clinic can also offer personalized solutions to resolve age-related energy loss you’ll likely face as you enter your advanced years. Professional interventions are meant to guide you in making the right health decisions as you age.

In many cases, these are tailored approaches to address your specific needs, ranging from nutritional supplements to therapy. The goal is to improve your energy stores, so keep this in mind. The more holistic the health plan, the better you will feel even when age-related changes occur in your body.

4. Prioritize restorative sleep

The fact that you lie down for a snooze doesn’t mean you earned restorative sleep. So, what’s the craze about it, and why does it matter? Restorative sleep involves brain activity which helps repair cells, grow new tissue, build bone and muscle, and, most importantly, boost the immune system. You can tell you’ve had a restorative sleep when you wake up feeling refreshed and ready for the new day. In many cases, you’ll also feel a burst of energy that was absent before. Deep sleep regulates hormones and restores energy levels. The more quality sleep you have, the better your day will be. Several myths are associated with aging, and one is reduced sleep quality. While it may be true in specific scenarios, it’s not a general truth. You can help your body respond better by taking the right measures when needed. While at it, remember to avoid comparing yourself to others in the same age bracket. People age differently.

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