It’s officially spring. Easter is around the corner. Birds are chirping. Dandelions are popping up on lawns. The weather is warm and sunny in Brevard County, Florida. Spring is a great time to get outside and enjoy the beautiful weather, but what if you still feel lethargic like a hibernating bear? Champion Home Health Care, your full-spectrum senior home health care provider, wants to present you with some simple tips and helpful hints on ways to increase your energy, uplift your mood, or motivate you to hop on out there and enjoy springtime.
One simple thing you can do to increase your overall well-being and pep is to drink plenty of water. Water removes waste products, helps you digest food, aids in the absorption of nutrients, lubricates joints, regulates body temperature, and moistens the lungs. Don’t wait just until mealtime to drink fluids. Try to sip water throughout the day or add broths, soups, watermelon, smoothies, green tea, or sports drinks to achieve proper hydration. If you have to take medications, drink a full glass at that time as a ritual and way to meet your quota of 6- 8 glasses a day.
It’s easy to become dehydrated especially if you fill up on coffee. Coffee serves as a diuretic so if you consume a lot, alternate a glass of water in between mugs. If you feel cramps, weak, confused, or sluggish, increase your water intake or add an electrolyte laden drink. Daytime fatigue is often a result of dehydration. If a senior adds fiber supplements to their daily regime, it is even more important to drink an adequate amount of water. And some medications are diuretics too! So, drink water to add some bounce to your step.
After making sure you are well hydrated, be sure to get enough sleep. Sleep deprivation in the elderly can affect the whole body. Continued lack of sleep can weaken the immune system, diminish muscle strength and endurance, increase the risk of mental illness, lead to confusion/distortion of memory, decrease mental capacity, lessen your ability to handle stress, depression, and leads to wear and tear on organs. Healthy uninterrupted sleep is crucial for seniors, but there are often many obstacles standing in the way of 8 hours of undisturbed zzzz’s. Here are some of them:
- Frequent night waking
- Night/day confusion
- Waking up early
- Trouble falling asleep
- Insomnia
- Shift in circadian rhythm
- Snoring
- Not getting enough exercise
- Pain
- Depression
- Neurological problems like Alzheimer’s disease
- Frequent nighttime urination
There are some things you can do to help facilitate a healthy night’s sleep for seniors. Establishing a nighttime routine which includes regular waking and bedtimes and make sure the room is cool, dark, and quiet are essential. Make sure the mattress is supportive and pillows are replaced regularly. Alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, and eating should be avoided close to bedtime and the bedroom should be just for sleeping. We sure hope these tips help with a restful night’s sleep.
Champion Home Health Care in Melbourne is available to provide home health care for your aging loved one in the safe, comfortable, and healthy surroundings of their own home. Contact us if we can assist you with this quest. We would love to give you and your family that peace of mind! Follow us on Facebook and check out our website for a wealth of information. Happy spring!
