Celebrate National Wellness Month by Making Healthier Changes for a Better You
As we age, it’s no surprise that humans are more prone to health and wellness challenges. One in four older adults experiences depression, anxiety or substance abuse, according to the National Council on Aging. Older adults are also disproportionally affected by chronic health ailments, such as diabetes and heart disease. Eighty percent have at least one acute condition.
While you can’t control every factor that impacts your health, you can take steps to improve your well-being to live happier and healthier into your later years.
August is National Wellness Month, and the spotlight is on prioritizing self-care and promoting a healthier lifestyle. Follow these tips to help you create wholesome habits for this month and beyond.
Stay active. According to a recent study, the older Americans get, the less they exercise. Thirty-five percent of people age 75 and older were inactive, as were 27% of those between 65 and 74. A mix of aerobic exercise and strength training are the foundation of a solid fitness regimen, helping to stave off high blood pressure, stroke, heart attack and more. Older adults should aim to do at least 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity activity a week and muscle-strengthening activities on two or more days a week.
Focus on nutrition. National Wellness Month is the perfect time to adopt more nutritious eating habits to give your well-being a boost. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a healthy lifestyle can help lower your risk for heart disease by keeping your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels within the normal range. And a lot of it has to do with your diet. A heart-healthy diet focuses on lean protein, whole grains and fruits and vegetables while avoiding trans and saturated fats and excess salt and sugar.
Nurture your social circle. Maintaining meaningful relationships is a critical part of your overall wellness as you age. Pick up the phone to catch up with an old friend or set up a regular time to hang out with your family. If you’re looking to forge new connections, look for volunteer opportunities in a field that sparks your interest or find a local class that can occupy your time constructively and productively as you meet like-minded peers.
Get your finances in check. Financial peace of mind is priceless. You should already have an estimate of how much you need each month to pay your bills and living expenses. But how can you better allocate your funds, so you have more to pay off credit cards, put toward a well-deserved vacation or build up the emergency fund you’ve been ignoring? And if you’re dealing with credit card debt, consider a new card offering a low-interest balance transfer, a personal loan or credit counseling to help eliminate debt and avoid expensive interest and fees. As always, be sure to consult with a financial professional regarding your individual situation.
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Get your legal documents in order, too. Your will is a vital tool to protect your final requests and asset divisions. Once it’s signed, you don’t have to worry about how your loved ones will deal with making important decisions when the time comes. Make an appointment to sit down with a professional to get your wishes on paper.
Embrace your future
Getting your wellness in check is critical. But you also need the finances to sustain the healthy lifestyle you’ve so hard to achieve. Don’t let debt or financial challenges get in the way.
A reverse mortgage is a type of loan exclusively available to older homeowners with sufficient equity, allowing you to borrow against the equity in your home, all †while still living it and retaining the title. You can leverage the funds as a ‡lump sum, monthly payments or a line of credit to use as needed —to make home renovations, pay medical bills, supplement your income, travel and much more.
For more information, reach out to Reverse Mortgage Funding LLC (RMF) today at (888) 277-1567. We look forward to helping you enjoy the years ahead with less financial stress.
This content is sponsored by RMF, one of the nation’s leading reverse mortgage lenders. We are dedicated to helping older Americans retire more freely, in the comfort of their own homes. As a result of our commitment to providing an extraordinary and positive customer experience, we have earned a 98% customer satisfaction rating; a 4.5-star / Excellent score on Trustpilot; 4.8 out of 5 stars on LendingTree; and an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. Call 888-277-1567 to speak with a licensed reverse mortgage specialist to learn about our retirement financing products and solutions.
†Borrowers who elect a fixed rate loan will receive a single disbursement lump sum payment. Other payment options are available only for adjustable rate mortgages. In certain states, RMF’s EE loan provides a fixed-rate term payment option.
‡Borrowers who elect a fixed rate loan will receive a single disbursement lump sum payment. Other payment options are available only for adjustable rate mortgages.