7 Simple Tips for Healthy Joints as You Age

When you’re young and healthy, the last thing on your mind is your joints. You’re out there, moving and grooving, keeping it loose and agile. But as you age, staying that way becomes a challenge in itself. Your joints begin to creak and ache in the morning when you get out of bed.

You may even find yourself hobbling around like an old man when it rains. A sore back can make sitting for long periods almost impossible, while painful fingers can make simple tasks like buttoning a shirt almost impossible.

Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to slow down the aging process and keep your joints happy for years to come. Here are 7 simple tips for healthy joints as you age:

Keep moving

Hear me out on this one. As we age, we tend to notice that our joints are feeling stiffer than they used to. We start to feel the pain associated with arthritis and other joint issues, and we tend to stop moving as much as we used to. This is the absolute worst thing that you can possibly do for your joints.

Standing or sitting without any motion whatsoever is as bad for your joints as sitting in a sauna would be for your skin. Keeping them moving and active is key to keeping them healthy and happy. If you happen to have knee issues, try swimming.

It’s low impact and will help strengthen your knees while staying active and moving. Even something as simple as gardening or sweeping floors can go a long way towards keeping your joints in shape. Remember that sitting still is bad for your joints, so try to break up your day with some activity.

Try yoga and tai chi

The benefits of yoga go far beyond the physical. It helps with your breathing, your flexibility, and your mental focus. And when it comes to your joints, yoga is truly magical. It can be used to address issues like arthritis, and even osteoporosis. And it goes both ways. If you’re young, it will help keep your joints healthy as you age. Tai chi is another great way to keep your joints healthy.

It helps to balance your body’s energy flow, while also stretching your muscles and strengthening your joints. It’s a wonderful way to stay active and keep your joints healthy. Many communities even have tai chi classes available for seniors and other adults who want to try it out.

Stay strong with weights

You may have heard this tip before, but it’s worth mentioning again. If you’re starting to feel pain in your joints, pick up a pair of dumbbells or a set of resistance bands and start lifting. Stronger muscles around your joints are like a safety net.

They work with your joints to keep them healthy, while also helping to reduce pain. It’s also great for your heart. If you’re choosing to lift weights, stay away from high-impact exercises like running, as they can hurt your joints.

Instead, try lifting with free weights like dumbbells, or even with a resistance band. Resistance bands are great because they can be used at home and they’re versatile. You can use them to do squats, curls, and even push-ups.

Work directly with a health professional

A physical therapist can help you with a lot of issues involving your joints. They can advise you on exercises, stretches, and even assistive devices designed to help with your movements. Another option is going online with digital clinics offering a tailored treatment designed for your needs.

Also, a physical therapist can help you to better understand why your joints are aching in the first place. They may be getting stiff because of arthritis or other issues. They can also advise on diet and lifestyle changes that can help you feel better. A chiropractor can also help with your joints.

They can adjust your posture, which can go a long way towards helping with pain. They can also advise on lifestyle changes, as well as help you with adjusting any assistive devices that you may need.

Maintain a healthy weight

Keeping a healthy weight is important for maintaining healthy joints. Excess weight puts strain on your joints, as well as puts you at risk for developing other diseases and ailments, like diabetes. Don’t let your joints suffer just because you’re trying to eat healthy. Instead, make sure you’re getting enough protein, and avoid foods that are high in fat.

Again, the more muscle you have, the less weight you’ll have to carry around. That means less strain on your joints. Exercising regularly is also key to maintaining a healthy weight. It can help you to shed pounds, while also improving your mood and your overall health.

Keep your fingers flexible

Fingers are jointed, and they also tend to be neglected as we get older. But just like your knees and hips, keeping your fingers flexible is key to an easier life as you get older. You can do this by regularly squeezing a stress ball, or even by gently bending your fingers regularly throughout the day.

Fingers are also an excellent place to start for meditation. While meditating, you’re supposed to focus on your breathing. Start by gently placing your hands in your lap, then focusing on feeling your breath as it goes in and out of your body.

Start slow, and see how long you can keep it up for. You’ll find that there are many easy ways to keep your fingers flexible, which can make daily tasks like typing easier.

Get enough vitamins and minerals

Exercise and a healthy diet can help you to get all the vitamins and minerals that you need. But as we get older, our bodies become less efficient at absorbing the vitamins and minerals we eat. This can lead to things like joint pain, tingling in the hands, and even hair loss.

Getting enough vitamins and minerals can help to prevent these issues. If you’re having joint pain, it can be helpful to take a supplement that has glucosamine and chondroitin in it.

These are natural substances that can help to ease joint pain, as well as prevent further joint issues. If you’re experiencing tingling or numbness in your hands, try taking a calcium supplement. You may also want to consider taking a vitamin D supplement.

Closing Thoughts

As you get older, your joints are likely to creak and ache from time to time. But you don’t have to let that keep you from living a happy and healthy life. These 7 simple tips for healthy joints as you age can help to keep you feeling young and spry for years to come.