Leading a Healthy Lifestyle is vital to living a happier life

Even as we age, there are things that we can do to stay happier, healthier and improve our ability to ward off illness and injury.

Bill & Monie Davis maintain an active, healthy lifestyle by staying in touch with family and friends, exercising regularly, and regular check-ups from their doctor, Robert Howse.

“The aging process is roughly 30% genetics and 70% behavior,” says George C. Xakellis, Jr., MD, from East Petersburg Family Health Center, a member of the Lancaster General Medical Group. “So by leading a healthy lifestyle, there’s a lot you can do to slow down those things attributed to aging.”

“Everyone has one body, one mind, and one soul,” adds Robert M. Howse, MD, from Geriatric Associates, a Lancaster General practice. “When they work together, you’re healthy. When they don’t, you’re at greater risk for health problems.”

“Exercise is the closest thing we’ve ever found to the fountain of youth,” says Dr. Xakellis. He recommends walking at least 30 minutes every day, or exercising three times a week at the gym.

People who are active in their daily lives can use a pedometer to track the steps they take during a normal day. Dr. Xakellis says taking 10,000 steps a day is good exercise.

“Find something you really enjoy doing,” says Dr. Howse. “It’ll also be more successful if it’s done with a partner—someone who’ll motivate you to stick with the exercise.”

The bright side of life

10 Things Everyone Can Do to Stay Healthy

1.  Exercise your body and mind 2.  Practice optimism 3.  Nurture relationships with family, friends and co-workers 4.  Have purpose and practice faith 5.  Eat a healthy diet 6.  Don’t smoke 7.  Monitor your blood pressure 8.  Check your cholesterol 9.  Schedule cancer screenings 10.  Get flu/pneumonia shots

From the “Ten Tips for Healthy Aging” Focus on Health program presented by Dr. Xakellis.

Both doctors agree that you benefit from keeping an optimistic attitude, even during stressful situations.

“Pessimists have a 17% higher mortality rate,” Dr. Xakellis says, referring to a Mayo Clinic study. “People who live longer developed strategies to cope and move forward.”

“Planning is very important, especially if you’ve done it all your life,” Dr. Howse says. Planning ahead for when you may no longer be able to care for yourself, or funeral arrangements, takes a tremendous burden away. “It really helps you focus on things you enjoy.”

Relationships & purpose

Maintaining relationships with family and friends is essential to a high quality of life.

“It provides emotional support that can help us stay active and connected to the things important to our lives,” Dr. Xakellis says.

Trying something new also keeps you young at heart, whether it’s learning a new musical instrument or a foreign language.
“New hobbies and activities are beneficial ways to exercise the mind and keep us thinking,” he says. Computers are a great way to stay connected with family, friends and as an information source.

Healthy habits

Dr. Howse and Dr. Xakellis both encourage people to adopt a balanced diet in their daily lives, and to avoid smoking, in order to give their body the best chance to stay healthy.

If laughter is the best medicine, Bill and Monie are getting a healthy dose of it while playing a game of cards at their Willow Street home.

“When people lose weight, only 5% manage to keep it off,” Dr. Xakellis says. “Those that do keep it off exercise regularly, plus they remember what they did to lose the weight and reinstate it when they do gain 2 or 3 pounds.”

Regular checkups and testing help catch problems early. Testing should include monitoring blood pressure and cholesterol, cancer screenings and annual flu and pneumonia shots.

Dr. Howse stresses annual vision checkups for senior citizens. “Half of all seniors that experience vision loss don’t even realize it. Many times, it’s caused by something that’s treatable if it’s caught early.”

The same is true of hearing loss, which is often overlooked as a serious health problem.
“When you have hearing loss, you can get more easily frustrated, and feel more cut off from human companionship,” Dr. Howse says. “Untreated people feel socially isolated, are more depressed and malnourished.” Hearing aids have an overall positive impact on a person’s health and happiness.

Dr. Howse adds that common safety precautions, like wearing a seat belt at all times while in a vehicle, are important ways to live a longer, healthier life.