Healthy Lifestyle Archives - Page 3 of 3

Having a heart attack is serious and scary. Unfortunately, the worries don’t end for some as they recover. We have found that one of the best ways to overcome heart attack anxiety is to have a plan of recovery. These are what we believe to be the most important tips to keep in mind during the recovery of a major cardiac event.

Don’t Ignore Your Mental Health

Heart attack or not, your mental health is very important. The reason we bring this up is because many often report feelings of depression and anxiety after experiencing a heart attack. If this is you, know that it’s completely normal. If you find yourself feeling this way more than a couple of weeks after the incident, mention it to your doctor. Be patient with yourself and don’t be afraid to reach out to friends and family for social support.

Returning to Normal Activities Takes Time

You may feel like you want this to all be behind you and that may cause you to rush to doing activities at the same level as you were before. Realize that it will take time to get there, and it should, if you want to allow yourself to heal properly.

Now Is the Time to Cut Tobacco

You probably already know it, but now is the time to eliminate or drastically reduce tobacco usage. Your quality of life will be much better and your heart will thank you for it.

Diet is Key

Making healthier food choices can help aid in your recovery and provide a lasting change to your health. Choose foods low in sugar and sodium. Aim for a colorful plate with veggies, fruit, lean meat and whole grains. Planning your meals ahead of time will help you to make wise choices instead of a spur of the moment junk food choices.

The Benefits of Elevated Activity

You should be able to return to activities like dressing and taking care of your personal hygiene immediately. For elevated activity, you can start walking at a pace recommended by the doctor. Walking is extremely good for the heart, so keep up daily walking as you progress through recovery.

What to Do if You Think You’re Having Another Attack

Know the symptoms of a heart attack. They are chest pain, left arm pain, cold sweats, dizziness, jaw pain and fatigue. If you suspect an attack, you should immediately call 911. You may want to invest in an easy-to-use blood pressure monitor for peace of mind.

As You Think about Your New Lifestyle, Remember the ABCs of Heart Health

A: Take Aspirin (Amount suggested by your doctor)

B: Control Your Blood Pressure

C: Take Care of Your Cholesterol

If you or someone you love has recently suffered from a heart attack, we hope you find these tips helpful. Don’t hesitate to reach out to ACG Medical Supply for products to help make recovery easier for everyone. We’re here to help!

Daily Living Aids

New Year’s Resolutions for Seniors

December 20, 2019

New Year’s resolutions are for everyone, yet hardly anyone follows through with them. When considering your resolution for this year, remember to choose one that not only interests you but can contribute to your health and wellness for longevity. Here are some great ideas you can consider when choosing your 2020 resolution!

Make Life Easier

Are there things you keep doing that frustrate you, without thinking about an easier way to accomplish a frustrating task? Too often we let ourselves get annoyed with various tasks instead of thinking of a way to eliminate or minimize the annoyances. For example, if you seem to drop things on the floor or forget to grab an item before you crawl into bed, consider purchasing a reacher. It’s a simple and inexpensive fix. Consider other areas of your life that could be made easier with one simple fix.

Strengthen Your Brain

Keep your brain sharp by challenging it. This could be through games, puzzles or even reading. Maybe try reading something out of the ordinary or begin a puzzle that’s out of your comfort zone. Challenge yourself with something you enjoy doing.

Drink More Water

Our bodies need water to function at its best. It’s suggested that most people drink eight, eight-ounce glasses of water a day. You’ll find renewed energy by drinking more water, as it helps to flush out the things your body doesn’t need.

Speak Up for Yourself

Too often we decide to choose the path of least resistance. However, there comes a time when you should speak up for yourself and say what it is you want. Let this be the year where you let your voice be heard.

Mentoring

As an older adult, you have a lifetime’s worth of advice to share with someone. Consider joining a local mentoring program where you can share your knowledge and kindness with someone. They may even surprise you by teaching you a thing or two about yourself.

Start a Club

Start a club based on a hobby that you enjoy. It’s a great way to surround yourself with like-minded people while doing something you love.

Eat More Vegetables

You’ve been told to eat vegetables your whole life. If you’re not a veggie-lover, we’re sorry to say that making sure to eat your greens is still a necessity for a healthy life. You can try different ways of cooking them to make it fun!

Be Active

An active lifestyle makes for a happy lifestyle. Implement daily movement for at least twenty minutes to feel your best and keep your body strong. This could be through walking, biking or anything that gets your heart rate up!

Now that 2020 is officially here and underway, what are your New Year’s resolutions? Check out our catalog or reach out today to see what products we have to help you reach your goals.

Exercise

Walk Your Way to a Healthier You

October 30, 2019

Have you been keeping an eye on your cardio levels? Maybe even thinking you need to get a little more exercise in? If this sounds familiar, you’re in luck and you’re not alone. Nearly 75% of people are not getting the amount of exercise that is recommended for them to keep a healthy lifestyle, but it’s not too late to turn that around! We have just the tips and tricks to get those extra steps in to ensure that you’re getting the exercise you need and will be well on your way to a healthier you in no time.

How much exercise do people need?

We all know that exercise is good for us, but how much should we be fitting into our daily schedule? ChooseMyPlate.gov recommends the following amounts of physical activity for people of all ages below:

Children (2-5): Physical activity is generally safe for everyone, but there is not a set amount for children of this age. They generally have more energy and will have shorter bursts of activity which is normal. If you are concerned with the activity level of your child, contact your doctor today.

Adolescents (6-17): Children and adolescents should get 60 minutes or more of physical activity each day. Many times, this age of people are getting the amount of exercise needed from school programs and sports. It is important to encourage your children or grandchildren to keep involved and active in activities that keep them moving to promote a healthy lifestyle.

Adults (18-64): Adults should do at least 2 hours and 30 minutes each week of aerobic physical activity at a moderate level OR 1 hour and 15 minutes each week of aerobic physical activity at a vigorous level. A good way to fit this into your week is to exercise for 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. This allows you a couple of rest days in there for when you need a break or maybe don’t have the time that day.

Elderly Adults (65+): Elderly adults have similar recommendations for exercise, but have more flexibility as they should exercise as able. If you are unsure of what you should do to keep active, check with your doctor and ask for recommendations on what would be best for you.

What can you use to help you get your exercise in?

There are many different things that one can do to get the right amount of exercise daily. Below are some options for people of all ages to utilize.

Apps: There are hundreds of apps that one can download on their phone to help keep them on track while exercising, tracking time and even showing exactly what exercises to do. Whatever you’re looking for, try searching for it on your phone or looking up what apps might be right for you. You’re bound to find something you love and can stick to!

Walking aids: If you have a disability or are getting older, you may want to look into walking aids to ensure you are staying safe while getting your exercise in. ACG Medical offers a variety of walking aids to keep you safe! Check out our walkers and rollators here.

Equipment: There are many different things that you can have in your own home to avoid getting a gym membership or walking outdoors in dangerous conditions. It might be a good idea to look into getting a treadmill for walking or other equipment such as yoga balls, small weights and even bands that can be stretched out to keep from injuring yourself. While these are just a few guidelines and tips to help you live an active life, there is an endless list of things you can be doing to stay active. One simple tip would be, when in doubt, walk it out. Walking is essential in life and is a simple way to get your exercise in! If you’re looking for walking aids or other products to ensure you’re living a healthy lifestyle, check out ACG Medical. We’re here for you every step of the way.

Healthy Lifestyle

How to Improve Your Physical, Mental & Emotional Health as You Age

September 3, 2019

It’s Healthy Aging Month! To age gracefully and in good spirits, we thought we should talk about how to improve the aging process when it comes to your physical, mental and emotional health. Not one of these is less important than the other, so let’s begin!

Physical

Obviously being in shape and staying active makes sense to do as you age. Changes occur in your body over time such as weaker bones, an enlarged heart, forgetfulness, dulled senses, decayed teeth, wrinkled skin and so on. To slow the physical aging process, going for walks and light weight lifting can help stop the weakening of your bones and muscles. If you need assistance when walking, walkers or canes are the perfect helpers!

Taking the right vitamins will help you internally, and stopping bad habits like smoking can reduce effects as well. Smoking can increase your risk for heart attack, stroke and cancer – it also causes more damage to your skin and hair as you age.

Mental

Mental health is often overlooked when thinking of what affects you while you age. Keeping your mind sharp to avoid that forgetfulness we all experience is goal #1. Playing mind games that stimulate your brain will help avoid cognitive decline. You can also try learning a new language, playing an instrument, trying out a new puzzle or playing word games.

Another way to stay sharp mentally is to stay active in the community by volunteering – this will help you feel valued and needed, as well as stimulate your brain by having to make conversation with others. A similar way to keep conversations in your life is to stay in touch with old friends. Feeling connected will help lower your chance of mental decline.

Emotional

Emotional health is extremely important to take care of as you age. If you begin to feel depressed and isolated, your health can easily take a turn for the worse. Avoiding stress in your life is key to keeping your emotional health at its prime. Learn relaxation methods to cope with stress – these could include deep breathing, meditation and exercise.

Pick up a new hobby or get a pet you have to care for. These two options can bring joy to your life and keep you feeling happy and needed. Positivity and finding meaning in your life will keep your health on the rise, instead of letting negativity bog you down.

It’s not an easy task to improve your overall health, especially as you get older. Don’t hesitate to reach out for assistance from ACG Medical Supply – we might have just the products you need!

Healthy Lifestyle

Heart Attack Recovery: What You Need to Know

New Year’s Resolutions for Seniors

Walk Your Way to a Healthier You

How much exercise do people need?

What can you use to help you get your exercise in?

How to Improve Your Physical, Mental & Emotional Health as You Age

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