As you grow older, you undergo a lot of changes physically and emotionally. The little aches you used to shrug off when you were younger seem to become more of a nuisance each day; you find that you get tired more easily and desire to go to bed right after dinner; and many of the new television shows just don’t appeal to you anymore.
“I must be getting old,” you mumble while putting on another layer of clothing to ward off the chill. Let’s take a closer look at the signs that show you’re not a sprightly spring chicken anymore.
You get cold easily.
As people age, the body’s metabolism slows down, which means the body becomes less efficient at generating heat and maintaining a normal body temperature. Chronic medical conditions such as cardiovascular disease and hypothyroidism also make older adults more prone to feeling cold. Because of this, staying warm should be your priority. Some simple precautions you can take are:
- Eat a full meal before stepping outside, especially during cold weather. Food providesthe energy that helps your body generate heat.
- Dress warmly—layer up if you have to! Don’t forget to wear a hat or a beanie, a scarf, and gloves.
- Warm up with hot drinks such as cocoa or tea, but stay away from alcohol, which causes you to shed heat.
You prefer watching crime dramas over rom-coms and sitcoms.
Shows like How I Met Your Mother, Big Bang Theory, or New Girl just aren’t your cup of tea. You may think the storylines in these shows are too simplistic, or reflect the lifestyles of the younger generation—whichever the reason, you just find yourself scowling when you hear the canned applause. You would much rather watch crime dramas that feature “real-world problems” that you can relate to. The Mentalist, CSI, and Unforgettable are probably among your favorites, grisly murders and blackmail and all.
You think you need to start wearing adult diapers.
Aging itself doesn’t cause incontinence, but it is more common among older people because of the changes that occur in the genital and urinary systems of the body. For instance, the bladder as well as the muscles that support it has a tendency to sag with age, which decreases its ability to store urine. In addition, many of the medications that seniors take for various medical conditions can also affect how the bladder functions and lead to incontinence.
You have trouble sleeping.
Whether it’s a desire to go to bed earlier, waking up frequently at night, or difficulty sleeping, it’s always a problem that many older adults experience. The most common causes are certain medications that stimulate wakefulness or impair sleep, a frequent need to urinate, pain caused by arthritis and other health conditions, and poor sleep habits such as too much napping in the daytime. If you are too sedentary, it may either make you feel sleepy all the time or not be able to sleep well at all.
Your varicose veins are showing.
Varicose veins occur in any body part, but are usually found in the lower body, especially the legs. As you age, the valves in the veins become weaker and less able to make the blood flow back to the heart. As a result, the blood flows backward and pools in the veins, causing them to become twisted or enlarged. Persons who have taken postmenopausal hormonal replacement are also more inclined to getting varicose veins. If you have spider and varicose veins, you can have varicose vein treatment in NYC to ease the pain caused by varicosities.
You may not be as young as you used to be, but that doesn’t mean you have to “feel old”. Taking care of yourself goes a long way in making the most out of life, so always strive to be healthy and happy!
