Healthy Aging

By: Red Hot Mamas

Published: July 21, 2025

From the Editor…Karen Giblin

“July is a new beginning and endless opportunities to shine.”

-Anonymous

Dear Red Hot Mamas,

If you are like many women today, you realize that not only are women living longer than they used to, but they are also living amazingly well while looking great. In fact, according to the CDC, National Center for Health Statistics (2025) life expectancy for women is 81.1 years.

So, what’s the secret to living an independent and active life? It may be in how we make healthy lifestyle choices. When you arm yourself with knowledge and make healthy changes that doesn’t always ensure you will live longer, however, it will help you to have a better quality of life. It takes commitment and a lot of work to give up poor eating habits and an inactive couch potato lifestyle to stay healthy as you get older.

The best actions you can take are:

Maintain a healthy, balanced diet.

Eating well not only makes you look better, but it also decreases your risk of many health problems like heart disease and osteoporosis.

Exercise regularly.

Exercise doesn’t need to be strenuous; it just needs to be consistent. And, its not always necessary to join a gym, you can add more activity to your day by walking more instead of always driving your car; use the stairs instead of the elevator; do some yard work or gardening; take your dog a walk and remember that exercising is the cornerstone of healthy living.

Learn to manage stress.

Try injecting your life with a shot of simplicity.  Make lists to help you simplify and organize your day, your list should include what needs to be done right now, today, or even next week. And, don’t try to squeeze too many things into your day. It’s also a good idea to learn how to delegate some of your tasks to others. Try some mindfulness activities: Experiment with deep breathing exercises where you breathe in for four counts, hold for four counts, then breathe out for four counts and hold for another four. Learn to relax: Seek out activities that give you pleasure, like enjoying a cup of tea with a friend, spend time playing with your dog, take a walk, do yoga exercise or meditation.

Get enough sleep.

Reserve your bed for sleeping or sex. Don’t watch television or use your iPad when you are in bed as this stimulates your mind and may affect your sleep. Go to bed and get up at the same time every day. Steer clear of caffeine at lease six hours prior to going to bed. Exercise regularly, but not too close to bedtime. Try not to nap during the day. Create a restful environment in your bedroom – comfortable cool temperature as well as bedding and pillows. Talk to your doctor if you are having problems with sleeping.

Visit your doctor for the recommended screening tests for your age and be proactive with your healthcare.

Some preventive screening exams and tests for women include blood cholesterol; blood pressure; bone density; mammogram; pap-test; thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH); colon cancer; skin exam; eye exam; hearing; and diabetes screening.

And, don’t smoke.

Smoking increases the risks for– heart disease, cardiovascular disease including strokes and cancer. It also damages your lungs and other parts of your respiratory system; it causes emphysema, chronic bronchitis and even osteoporosis.

In closing, it may be impossible to prevent the passage of time, but when you are proactive about your life choices, you can control some of the risk factors in your life associated with illness and disease. And, remember, it is never too late to adopt healthy habits for positive change.

Good Health to You All,

Karen Giblin