#ad Staying on top of your health and fitness, especially as you age, is a gift you owe yourself. As many of you know, I am a strong believer in maintaining a healthy lifestyle and fitness routine. Regular exercise and eating healthy foods, including plenty of vegetables, fruit, nuts, and fresh fruit such as bananas, are essential for a balanced diet and overall wellbeing. My proactive mindset saved my life twice.  While exercise and clean eating are some of the most important focus areas for a healthy life, it is so important to prioritize other areas of your health, like keeping up with prescriptions and hearing loss. Adults should take a leading role in their health by making balanced choices, such as engaging in regular exercise, preparing healthy meals, and finding ways to relieve stress. As I age, I am so happy to be an AARP member and take advantage of the many health-related member benefits and discounts.

Healthy Living

Healthy living is about more than just one or two good habits—it’s a holistic approach that touches every part of our lives. By embracing healthy eating, staying physically active, getting adequate sleep, and managing stress, we can significantly reduce our risk of chronic conditions like heart disease and enjoy a more vibrant, fulfilling life. Maintaining balance in both your diet and lifestyle—such as balancing calorie intake with energy expenditure and ensuring a variety of nutrient-rich foods—plays a crucial role in achieving optimal health. Even small steps, like choosing a colorful salad or taking a brisk walk, can make a big difference. Remember, your health care professional is a valuable partner on this journey, offering personalized advice to help you make choices that support your unique needs. Prioritizing your health today means more energy, better sleep, and a brighter tomorrow.

Why Small Changes Matter at Any Age

It’s easy to think that only big changes will make a difference, but the truth is, small adjustments to your daily routine can have a powerful impact on your overall health. Swapping out refined grains for whole grains, adding an extra serving of fruits and vegetables to your meals, or cutting back on saturated fat can all help lower your risk of heart disease. Being mindful of the types and amounts of foods and beverages you consume is also important for supporting your overall health. Even a short walk after dinner or a few minutes of stretching in the morning can help regulate blood sugar and prevent unwanted weight gain. These small amounts of effort add up, supporting your body’s health, keeping your weight in check, and giving you more energy to enjoy life’s special moments.

Hearing Care from a Health Care Professional

A few months before Covid-19 struck, I had the fortunate opportunity to interview my friend Mike who had had severe hearing loss. He explained his emotional and stressful struggle to communicate with his family and friends. His lifestyle was extremely restricted; he missed conversations in movies, the ability to hear music and was totally shut out in noisy environments.  He smiled when he told me, “with the advance of hearing technology and innovation I no longer struggle to hear my grandchildren laugh.”

After my conversation with Mike, I made an appointment to have my hearing checked because I noticed I was asking my husband, family, and friends to repeat themselves. According to the National Institute of Health one in three people over 65 and one in every two people over 75 experience hearing loss.  My hearing problem was caused by the method I was using to clean my ears. I was unknowingly pushing wax down into my ear canal. My doctor personally cleaned my ears and told me that everyone over 50 should have their hearing checked and hearing aids professionally cleaned every six months. If you begin to notice, as I did, that you are having even the slightest hearing loss, it’s important to seek help.

One of the many great benefits of an AARP membership is access to the AARP® Hearing Care Program provided by HearUSA. Members can get a free hearing check-up, 20% off the retail price of hearing aids, a risk-free 90-day trial, free cleaning, an evaluation of your current hearing aids, and more!

I agree with Helen Keller’s words. She called deafness a worse misfortune than blindness. She said, “When you lose your vision you lose contact with things, when you lose your hearing, you lose contact with people.”

On a personal level, I’d miss exchanging thoughts, explaining myself, sharing emotions, hearing the wind, the bird’s singing and the pitter-patter of raindrops, my husband’s laugh, my grandchildren telling me how much they love me and that’s just for starters. I believe my list mirrors yours.

This is why getting regular hearing checks is so important. After all, the voices of our children, grandchildren, our spouses and friends, and even our pets, bring us so much joy! We have to be sure to protect our hearing so that we can continue to hear the music of our lives.

Protecting Your Ears for Lifelong Wellness

Our ears are gateways to the world around us, and protecting them is essential for lifelong wellness. Everyday activities—like attending a concert, using power tools, or even listening to music with headphones—can expose us to loud noises that may lead to hearing loss or other health problems over time. Simple steps, such as wearing ear protection in noisy environments and keeping the volume at a safe level, can help preserve your hearing. Regular check-ups with a health care professional are also important, as they can catch potential issues early and guide you in caring for your ears. Taking these precautions today can help ensure you continue to enjoy the sounds and connections that make life meaningful.

Stay Current with your Prescriptions for Blood Pressure

Prescriptions are another important piece of the puzzle to keep up with as you age. As I’ve gotten older, I have more prescriptions and added expenses for medications. Adults often have unique medication needs and should consult with their health care professional about how their diet and lifestyle may interact with their prescriptions. Thanks to my AARP membership, I have access to prescription discounts that can save me money at the pharmacy. With my AARP® Prescription Discounts provided by OptumRx®, I have access to a free prescription discount card that can be used at over 66,000 pharmacies nationwide on all FDA-approved medications, an easy way to save money on prescription purchases I’m already making.

The program (open to anyone!) not only saves you money on all FDA-approved medications, but it also offers added benefits to AARP members, including deeper discounts, home delivery, coverage for dependents, and more! More money saved on health expenses means more in your pocket for those fun adventures with the ones you love. I can attest to and recommend the punctual home delivery service, savings on your prescriptions, and the helpful telephone conversations with staff. This service is perfection.

As I continue to take a proactive approach to my health, I love being able to rely on my AARP member benefits to save me money for the road ahead. Be sure to check out more about the AARP® Hearing Care Program provided by HearUSA, the AARP® Prescription Discounts provided by OptumRx®, and other great healthcare-related benefits and discounts your membership provides. Not a member yet? Become a member today!

The Power of Medication Management

Staying on top of your medications is a cornerstone of good health, especially when managing conditions like high blood pressure or heart disease. Following your health care professional’s instructions—taking the right dose at the right time—can help keep your blood pressure in check and reduce your risk of complications. If you ever have questions or concerns about your medications, don’t hesitate to reach out to your health care provider. They can help you make healthier choices, adjust your regimen if needed, and ensure your treatment plan supports your overall well-being. Thoughtful medication management is a simple but powerful way to protect your health and enjoy life to the fullest.

The Importance of Physical Activity

Physical activity is one of the most powerful tools you have for supporting your overall health and well-being. Regular exercise does more than just help you maintain a healthy weight—it can lower your blood pressure, improve blood sugar control, and reduce your risk of heart disease. Staying active also helps prevent health problems like kidney stones and even tooth decay, thanks to its positive effects on circulation and metabolism. When you move your body, you boost your energy, manage stress more effectively, and set yourself up for a better night’s sleep. Whether you’re walking, dancing, gardening, or stretching, every bit of movement counts toward a healthier, more vibrant life. Remember, it’s never too late to start reaping the benefits of regular exercise—your body and mind will thank you!

Simple Ways to Move More Every Day

Benefits of Regular Check-Ups

Making time for regular health check-ups is one of the best investments you can make in your overall health. These visits with your health care professional are an opportunity to catch potential health problems early, before they become more serious. Routine check-ups can help you stay on track with healthy eating, maintain a healthy weight, and get personalized advice on physical activity and stress management. Your health care provider can help you set realistic goals, monitor your progress, and adjust your plan as needed to support your unique needs. By staying proactive with your health care, you’re taking important steps to prevent illness, manage risk factors, and enjoy a healthier, more active life.

Staying Proactive About Your Health

Understanding Healthy Eating

Healthy eating is the foundation of a strong, energetic life. It’s about choosing a variety of whole foods—like fresh fruits, crisp vegetables, hearty whole grains, lean meats, and low fat dairy products—to nourish your body and mind. A healthy diet not only fuels your daily activities but also helps lower your risk of heart disease and stroke. By focusing on balanced meals and making mindful choices, you can support your overall health, maintain a healthy weight, and enjoy the many flavors and benefits that wholesome foods have to offer. Remember, every bite is an opportunity to invest in your well-being.

When making healthy food choices, it’s important to choose foods with healthier fats, such as unsaturated fats, and limit your intake of saturated fats as part of a low fat diet. Saturated fats are found in foods like cheese, butter, and coconut oil, and eating too much can raise your cholesterol levels, increasing your risk of heart disease. Instead, choose foods with unsaturated fats, such as plant oils, nuts, and oily fish, to support heart health. Milk is a nutritious dairy option that can be included as part of a healthy breakfast or meal.

Simple Nutrition Upgrades for Everyday Vitality

You don’t have to overhaul your entire diet to feel more energetic and protect your health. Simple nutrition upgrades can make a world of difference. Try swapping white rice for brown rice, or adding a handful of collard greens to your favorite soup or salad. Cutting back on added sugar and choosing drinks high in nutrients—like water or herbal tea—over sugary beverages can help you maintain a healthy weight and steady blood sugar levels.

It’s important to limit free sugars and added sugars, especially those found in packaged foods and drinks. Many packaged foods and drinks contain high amounts of free sugars and added sugars, which can impact your health by contributing to weight gain, tooth decay, and other issues. When planning a meal or deciding what to eat, be mindful of the sugars in foods and drinks you consume. Opt for healthier drink choices, such as water or unsweetened beverages, and pay attention to what is consumed throughout the day to support balanced eating habits.

Incorporating physical activity, even in small amounts, can further boost your energy and help prevent heart disease and other health problems. Aim for fewer calories from processed foods, and focus on whole, nutrient-rich options to keep your body strong. Every healthy choice, no matter how small, brings you closer to a vibrant, active life.

I am participating in a promotional campaign for AARP Services. I am receiving a fee for posting; however, the opinions expressed in this post are my own. I am not an employee of AARP Services and do not earn a commission or percent of sales.