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Tips to Stay Healthy This Spring at 55+ Communities in Pennsylvania

Enjoy the season by staying in tip-top shape

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It’s easy to ignore our health in the spring because we’re so excited about the possibility of getting outdoors as the weather warms up. But with longer days, more activity, and more exposure to external environments and other people, it can be just as easy to get exposed to germs in the spring as it is in the colder months.

We know the residents of our 55+ communities in Pennsylvania want to practice healthy habits at any time of year, so we’ve listed our best tips to stay in top shape both physically and mentally this season. As always, please make sure to consult with your doctor before altering your routine. Staying in consistent contact with them will ensure you’re living your healthiest life.

Now for the fun part! Read on for four ideas to help you stay healthy this spring.

Vitamins and Supplements

It is possible to have your doctor test for any vitamin and mineral deficiencies that you may be experiencing that could be affecting your health. Based on the test results, your doctor may recommend specific vitamin supplements that could improve your overall levels.

Some of the most commonly used vitamins include vitamins C, b12, D, calcium, magnesium, and zinc. Here are a few of the many health factors associated with them:

  • Vitamin C and zinc combat sickness and support your immune system’s functions, helping your body fight foreign entities like viruses and bacteria.
  • Vitamin b12 helps with your energy levels.
  • Magnesium supports healthy sleep and energy as well.
  • When vitamin D levels are down, we can start to feel negative and have low energy. That is why it is especially important to make sure we’re taking our vitamin D after a long winter without sun exposure!
  • Calcium, as we all know, supports bone strength.

Like we’ve said previously, make sure to be in contact with your doctor about the vitamins and supplements you’re taking and seek their advice on this topic.

Daily Stretch and Walk

Daily activity is one of the top secrets to maintaining good health throughout our whole lives. While we would love for you to get outside for a daily stroll, that’s not always possible in the early spring (depending on the weather).. Now, when the sun peeks out from the clouds, take advantage of that natural vitamin D and get outside for as long of a walk as the sun will allow for! This will do wonders for your mental and physical health. If it’s too chilly out there, stay inside for a stretch. Keep your blood flowing and your body flexible with daily joint and muscle stretches. Check out these 7 stretches that we highly recommend for daily movement.

Eat or Drink Your Veggies

Rather than thinking about what you need to eliminate from your diet, think about what you can add. You can always add more veggies, dress them up, or drink them! If eating veggies isn’t your thing, you could reach for smoothie ingredients or pick up a green juice. If regular old lettuce sounds boring, we don’t blame you. Boost the flavor and nutrition of your homemade salad with “salad toppers,” usually bags of delicious additions like dried cranberries, nuts, and chopped bacon. Find your favorites at your nearest grocery or health food store.

Steamed broccoli isn’t the only way to get your vegetables in. Try different creative recipes to see what you enjoy best!

Stay Hydrated

It’s easy to forget to prioritize our daily water intake, but it’s one of the most important, most instantaneous ways to improve our health. Our bodies need half our weight in ounces of water each day. For example, if you weigh 150 pounds, you’ll need 75 ounces of water per day. One of the best ways to jump-start your day is to drink 16-24 ounces first thing in the morning when you wake up. This is so helpful because of how dehydrated we become while we sleep.

We hope these tips help you, your loved ones, and our valued senior residents stay healthy this spring! If you’d like to take a tour of our Pennsylvania communities or get more information, please contact our team today!

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