There are a few simple ways to encourage healthy aging that can translate to an improved quality of life. Here are some expert tips.
What does healthy aging mean to you? If you’re like most people, you’re looking forward to removing the negative from your life — negative energy, thoughts, people and activities that don’t contribute to your best life.
And while that’s a noble goal, too often we forget about ways to strengthen the positive parts of our lives. Expert Herbert “Buddy” Coard III, Ed.D, psychologist with Renown Behavioral Health, provides us with five positive behaviors to focus on to improve happiness and life satisfaction.
Healthy Aging in 5 Easy Steps:
1. Connect – Make connections with friends, family, colleagues and neighbors. When you build strong connections, they can help enrich your life with new experiences and opportunities. Besides, having a support system to call upon when you need a favor is valuable as you age.
2. Be Active – Make time to get moving and work those muscles. Being active can include walking, practicing yoga, playing a game of pickleball or dancing. Exercise makes you feel good and keeps you health. Pick a physical activity that you enjoy, and don’t make excuses. Not only will being active help you build stronger muscles, it also helps you build strong connections with others. If you need a workout buddy, Meetup is a great resource to find like-minded people that share common exercise goals.
3. Take Notice – Be mindful and become more curious. Like a child, see the wonder and beauty of the world. Notice the things around you — the weather, the landscape, the mood and feelings of the people around you. By taking notice, it’s easier to learn to appreciate the things that matter.
4. Keep Learning – We never stop learning. Keep trying something new — a new course you’ve always wanted to try or a more challenging task someone has solicited for your help. Challenges keep us on our toes and increase our confidence and excitement in our day.
OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Nevada, Reno), brings diverse educational and social opportunities to active older adult learners (50+).
EPIC (Educational Programs Inspiring the Community), offers a divers curriculum ranging from art classes to Accelerated training certificate courses.
5. Give – Be generous with your time, your knowledge and your talents by giving to friends, family and even strangers. Some easy ways to give is to show thankfulness, smile at people and volunteer. Sharing of yourself to a wider audience gives you a greater reward than just doing things for yourself.
Ick, Ticks! 3 Ways to Protect Yourself This Season
While Lyme disease remains rare in Northern Nevada, public health officials continue to monitor cases and raise awareness during peak tick season. In Washoe County, confirmed cases have stayed low over the past two decades, but experts believe the true number may be higher due to underreporting. Ongoing efforts—including tick surveillance programs and free tick ID services—aim to help residents stay informed and protected. Health experts also urge caution when traveling to areas where Lyme disease is more common, especially during spring and summer.
As we take a trip through the human body, we eventually reach the mind, holding the keys to our thoughts, memories and behaviors. And although the mind is resilient, it might not always feel that way, especially amidst the obstacles many face day-by-day.
That’s where the importance of mental healthcare comes in – and northern Nevada needs it more than ever. In Washoe County alone, nearly one in five community members reported two or more straight weeks of poor mental health. With feelings of distress, depression, anxiety and stress on the rise, not to mention how addiction disproportionately affects Nevadans, we need a team of professionals devoted to helping the mind heal.
Enter the Behavioral Health department at Renown Health and the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine (UNR Med), where healing always remains top of mind (pun intended). From the providers on the frontlines to the administrative staff handling everything behind-the-scenes, every member of this team has one commitment in mind: standing beside people as they find their way forward.
With spring in full swing and summer on the horizon, it’s the perfect time to enjoy the outdoors. But as temperatures rise, staying hydrated becomes more important than ever. So how much water do you really need—and how can you make it easier to keep up? Aurosis Reddy, DO, a family medicine provider with Renown Medical Group, shares helpful hydration tips.
