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Moderation
Quality Life Forum Self-Care Series
November, 2020

It’s November again and the holiday season is upcoming. Moderation is a golden rule to follow for healthy aging.

Moderation in Appetite

Several recently published studies on aging all seem to lead to the same conclusion: for healthy aging, moderation is crucial. Whether it concerns weight management, physical activity or alcohol and tobacco use, health experts urge people to consider their limitations and changing needs as they approach their senior years.

In one study, led by researchers at the National Institute on Aging, found that gradual calorie restriction in midlife could help lower the risk of many diseases later on. The findings confirm what has previously been shown only in animal studies, namely that reducing caloric intake could have a positive impact on aging and longevity. 

Moderation is Personal. Dietary and caloric needs vary from person to person. The first step to define moderation for you is to determine your body needs. You may track recommended target intakes for grains, fruits, vegetables, dairy,  protein, and fat as well as the total number of calories you should consume each day. Or, in a simple way, make sure you eat a balanced diet at 80% full for each meal. In fact, there is no good foods or bad foods, eat all foods in moderation is a good rule to follow. A key to moderation is not becoming fixated on one part of life but, instead, taking a big-picture view so that assessing your overall balance of priorities is possible.

Tips on eating moderately –
  • Avoid emotional eating
  • Focus on quality food; eat 80% healthy and allow 20% treats/indulgence
  • Don’t get too hungry before a treat or party
  • Enjoy your favorite food slowly with each bite in small portions
  • Wait for at least 20 minutes before refill your plate
  • Stop eating at 80% full, which is the comfortably satisfied state
  • Follow the principle of variety, balance, and moderation in daily intake
  • If you enjoy alcohol, drinking alcoholic beverages in moderation  

Moderation in Physical Activities

Experts recommend age-appropriate behavior when it comes to exercise. While physical activity is crucial for healthy aging – as it is for good health in general – there are limits to what many people can endure as they age. Of course, much depends on a person's fitness level, but certain precautions such as starting slow and dealing with pain and fear should be observed regardless.

Don't Overdo Exercise. It has become more exercise-obsessed (as well as weight-loss-obsessed) society today, as many believe that more miles on the road or hours in the gym means more benefits. However, this is not science-evident. Rather, a plenty of studies show a relatively small amount of exercise works wonders, which is a good news.  Smaller doses of regular exercise can produce significant benefits, not only for the aging body but, equally as important, for the mind. As studies have shown, even less strenuous activities such as walking, bicycling or swimming can help improve heart health as well as cognitive abilities. For seniors, trying harder may not necessarily lead to better results.

Most people exercising to keep fit. If an individual exercise in moderation, exercising will become an integral part of the fitness plan. There are also certain adults taking exercise to an extreme level and  holding themselves to certain unrealistic ideals. They take extreme dieting and exercising to challenge their body for a sense of ageless personal success. In such case, this is unhealthy and hurting the body. It might lead to certain injuries and malnutrition. Compulsive dieting and exercising may cause serious health problems.

Balancing health and fitness is something we should all be striving to do. It takes logic, common sense, critical thinking, and most importantly, avoiding the extreme. Enjoy your run, walk, ride and swim, but don’t exhaust your body. Nourish it with hydration, nutrition, and adequate rest.  it is important to know your limits. When working out, go at a pace that you are totally comfortable with. Listen to your body is the key. Exercise moderately to maintain good health without pushing yourself past the point of your own endurance.

Tips for exercise moderately after age 60 –
  • Plan workout routine with a variety of activities and focus more on balance exercises
  • Balance out cardio and strength training, i.e., include 2 strength trainings weekly
  • Go with moderate intensity
  • Use active recovery days once a week or as needed
  • Listen to your body to regulate your activity level/type
  • All physical activities counts; keep busy and sit less

Moderation in Emotions

Holiday season may bring mixed emotions – happiness, sadness, joyfulness, loneliness, remembrance, stress, anger, and more. Our emotional intelligence (emotional regulation ability) play an important role in our well-being. Without a moderate emotion we cannot make proper judgments. Extreme emotions should be consciously self-regulated for psycho-social well-being and self-care.

Changes in emotions with age are complex. Late adulthood is not simply a time of emotional well-being and tranquility. Strong emotions exist and reactions to important life events may increase with age, rather than diminish. A study by Streubel and Kunzmann (2011) suggests that emotional arousal is a factor that needs more attention in aging research. In circumstances in which strong emotions are aroused, older adults may not be able to regulate their emotions as well as younger people. 


In another study of young and older adults in emotion-regulatory strategies, by Allard and Kensinger (2014) , suggested possible compensation for less efficient cognitive control processing in aging. 

Practice emotional regulation strategies for healthy aging
  • Awareness of your feelings and emotions
  • Identify the emotional upsetting trigger
  • Take a deep breath and accept your emotions
  • Focus on moderation, not suppression, of your emotions
  • Express yourself and unload your emotions when appropriate
  • Allow personal space emotionally
  • Practice relaxation and exercise for stress reduction; do not use alcohol or cigarette smoking

Health coaching is your friendly resource for healthy aging

Aging brings us new challenges each day. Are you well prepared? Health coaching is your friendly resource. Feel free to reach out QualityLifeForun@outlook.com for help and support. A personal chat or an individualized coaching program may change your life. Take action today.

Summary

Moderation is a golden rule to follow in life. Practice moderation in appetite, exercise, and emotions are beneficial for healthy aging.

© All rights reserved

References:
https://foodandnutrition.org/blogs/stone-soup/moderation-key-healthy-aging/
https://philmaffetone.com/exercise-in-moderation/
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/your-quality-life/201208/aging-and-emotions
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2014.00996/full

​Disclaimer: This information is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Consult your healthcare professional for personal conditions.


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  • Home
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    • Mind and Body
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  • Coaching
    • Coaching Programs >
      • Loneliness Breakthrough
      • Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes
      • Time-Restricted Feeding for Healthy Aging
      • Patient-centered Health Navigation Program
      • Customized program
      • A Special Health Coaching Package
    • Self-Care >
      • 2021 Aug The Milestone of Age 65
      • 2021 March Make a Self-Care Plan for Your Golden Years
      • 2018 Jan The Golden Keys for the Golden Years
      • 2018 July Golden Mindset
      • 2019 Jan Empty Nest
      • 2018 Feb loneliness Breakthrough
      • 2016 Feb Wellness Mindset
      • 2023 Jan Setting and Meeting Your Goals
      • 2019 Sept Time for change
      • 2020 Oct Process and Results
      • 2021 Sept Aging Brain
      • 2019 May Cognitive Health
      • 2021 Oct Muscle Memory and Cognition
      • 2020 July Listening to your body
      • 2019 March Body Image and Self-Care After Midlife
      • 2020 Nov Moderation
      • 2022 Aug Knowing When Doing More Is Harm Than Good
      • 2021 Nov Gratitude Power for Wellbeing
      • 2019 Dec Dealing with Difficult Emotions in Holiday Season
      • 2022 Dec Holiday Homecoming
    • Healthy Living >
      • 2022 Jan Health: the Cornerstone for Quality of Life
      • 2017 April Longevity and Quality of Life
      • Blog Are You Motivated for a Healthy Life Style?
      • 2018 June TLC Transformation
      • 2022 July Daily Routine for Healthy Aging
      • 2017 June Sleep Well
      • 2021 May Simplify Life for healthy aging
      • 2019 Aug Downsizing in the Golden Years
      • 2017 Sept Music Learning for older adults
    • Healthy Eating >
      • 2022 Sept Your Decision Power for Food Choices and Eating Behavior
      • 2022 Oct Hydration for Healthy Aging
      • 2018 Aug Nourish Your Body for Healthy Living
      • 2017 Oct Better to Eat Meat or Plant Food
      • 2020 Jan The Key Role of Protein in Healthy Aging
      • 2020 Feb Healthy Fat for Healthy Aging
      • 2020 March Healthy Aging Energy Source Carbohydrate
      • 2017 July Intermittent Fasting
      • 2020 Sept Time-Restricted Feeding Is A Healthy Lifestyle Choice
      • 2022 Nov Go green for health: A Green Tea Invitation
      • 2019 June Dietary Supplements Are Not Drugs
      • 2015 Nov Blog The Value of Vitamin and Dietary Supplements
    • Golden Age Fitness >
      • 2019 April Exercise is Medicine
      • 2017 March Exercise for Blood Sugar Regulation
      • 2017 Jan Willness Attitude and Winterizing Fitness
      • 2016 Apr Balance Training
      • 2016 Mar Get Active
      • 2018 Sept Keep Life in Motion
      • 2020 Aug Keep Fit for Your Age
      • 2023 Feb Benefits of Swimming for Healthy Aging
    • Age-related Health Challenges >
      • 2018 March Regulate Blood Pressure
      • 2018 May Blood Sugar Self-Management
      • 2018 April Lowering Cholesterol
      • 2017 Nov Immunity and Aging
      • 2016 June Vitamin D Deficiency
      • 2022 May Aging Skin and Sun Safety
      • 2022 Feb Aging Eye Facts
      • 2017 May How to Reduce Aging Eye Fatigue
      • 2022 Mar Age-Related Hearing Loss
      • 2022 April Aging and Oral Health
      • 2017 Feb Live with Thyroid Nodules
      • 2021 July Range of Motion Recovery from Frozen Shoulder
      • 2019 Nov Osteoporosis in Women
      • 2019 Feb Food Safety and H. pylori Infection
      • 2019 July GERD
      • 2016 Oct Significant Health Indicators
      • 2018 Oct Tough Fight for the Belly Fat
      • 2016 July Weight Management
      • 2018 Nov Dealing with chronic stress
      • 2021 June Managing Chronic Insomnia
      • 2017 Aug Facing a life-threatening illness
      • 2016 May Emotional Healing
    • Advocacy and Empowerment >
      • 2018 Dec The Most Valuable Gift
      • 2020 Dec Invest In yourself
      • 2016 Aug Health Literacy
      • 2016 Sept Prevention
      • 2022 June Making Transition From A Patient To An Educated Healthcare Customer
      • 2019 Oct Action is what counts
      • 2021 Nov Navigation for Healthcare Needs
      • 2016 Nov Gratitude for life
    • COVID 19 Pandemic >
      • 2020 May Hope endures
      • 2020 June Breathing and Blessing
      • 2020 April Transform Pandemic Fear to Self-Care
      • 2021 Jan Hew Year Brings New Hope
      • 2021 Feb Pandemic Winter Blues
      • 2021 April Are You Fully Vaccinated?
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