Aging affects people in different ways, but the most obvious ones are physical. This is a natural part of life, but you can do something about it. You should be able to keep your senses sharp with the right care. You might also make things worse if you do not stop doing certain things. Want to know more? Read on for Your Senses: 5 Ways to Keep them Sharp Even as You Age!
1. Eat Right
One of the simplest things that you can do to keep your senses sharp is to eat the right things. This will benefit your sense of sight the most. Foods rich in vitamin C and omega-3 fatty acids are good for your eyesight. Zinc is also important for your eyes. If you want to load up on these nutrients, you should be modifying your diet. Fill it with citrus fruits, along with green and leafy vegetables. Carrots should also be part of it. Besides your eyesight, your senses will benefit from vitamin A and antioxidants, so fruits and vegetables are always great.
Besides the natural food you eat, you can also get the needed vitamins for retinal health and other senses by taking supplements. Look around for vitamin and mineral supplements that give you a full range of your needed nutrients. You can also ask your doctor about what vitamins they specifically recommend for you.
You should also avoid eating food that is high in sugar and fat. Too much could lead to illnesses such as diabetes. That medical condition affects your senses, so cutting down on those two elements is a great thing to do. Additionally, you should lower your salt intake since it affects your blood pressure. High blood pressure can make it difficult to feel things.
2. Lower Stress
Your nerves can be very sensitive, and they are important when it comes to your sense of touch. If you want to keep your nerves in good condition, you should lower the amount of stress that you experience. High stress puts your nerves on high alert. If they stay like this for a long time, then you will damage them. Ease your stress with a variety of relaxation options. You can start meditating and definitely do yoga. Relax more!
3. Stop Smoking
If you are still smoking, then you should quit. Everyone knows the health problems that come with smoking, but it can be very bad for your sense of taste and smell. Smoke can damage the various nerve endings by restricting the blood flow going to them. It can also be bad for your eyes as the smoke can lead to cataracts. The various chemicals that enter your body will damage your taste buds and nasal receptors, which is how it can slowly disable and destroy your senses.
4. Avoid certain Smells
While smoke is one of the things that can damage your sense of smell, there are others out there. If possible, you should avoid some odors that will affect your ability to smell. These are strong smells that are from chemicals and other hazardous materials. This includes mold, gasoline, and more. If you expose yourself to these materials regularly or you work with them, then you must take the right precautions.
First, you need to wear a mask. The smells will still get through, so you need to add a counteracting odor on the mask. This needs to be a strong scent of its own, but you should choose a pleasant one. Besides protecting your nose and mouth, really strong odors can be bad for your eyes. Get an additional face shield or eye covering to further protect you from it.
5. Visit Your Doctor & Dentist
Your doctor should be a great help when it comes to a variety of medical conditions and needs. They can also assist with improving your senses. The main things they can help with are your sense of sight and hearing. For sight, they’ll ask you to visit an optometrist if they notice your weaker eyesight. For hearing, they can help in two ways. First, they can remove any impacted ear wax inside your ear and an audio test. Next, they may recommend a hearing aid to help amplify your hearing.
Your dentist is another medical professional who can help. Your sense of taste depends on your oral health. Infections in your mouth and other problems can affect your taste receptors. You should already be taking care of your mouth with regular brushing and gargling. As obvious as it sounds this freshens up your tongue so it can taste things more distinctly.
