We hear a lot about how we should take care of ourselves. The things that we should do to look after our health and wellbeing and improve our mood. But, something that we don’t hear much about is our senses and what we can do to keep them healthy and working well.
Most of us assume that our senses will just naturally start to decline as we age. To an extent, this is true. We’ve got far fewer taste buds when we enter our 70’s than we had when we were 20. Our sight and hearing may start to decline from middle age, our skin becomes more delicate, and some people notice that their sense of smell isn’t as effective as it once was. Genetics also play a part. If your parents were near or farsighted, you are more likely to be the same.
But, that doesn’t mean that there’s nothing that you can do to improve your senses and slow any deterioration. There’s plenty that you can do to enhance your senses, and help them to stay young for longer.
Protect Your Hearing
Most premature hearing loss is caused by long-term exposure to loud noises. If you work in a noisy environment or spend long periods of time at particular loud events, it’s worth investing in hearing protection, to reduce the risk of broken eardrums, swelling and hearing loss.
Get Regular Checkups
You should get your eyes tested at least once every two years. More often if you wear glasses or have noticed changes to your sight. These checkups shouldn’t just test how well you can see, but other areas of your eye health too.
You might not need to get your other senses checked unless you notice sudden deterioration, pain, discomfort, or other symptoms. But, you should attend regular health MOTs to make sure your body is in good condition, and so supporting your senses efficiently.
Keep Clean
Dirt, bacteria and other germs can cause damage to our senses, so it’s important that we keep ourselves clean and practice good personal and home hygiene to stop any nasties invading our bodies.
Eat a Healthy Diet
Your diet can play a big part in keeping your senses healthy. A balanced diet with plenty of vitamin A, folic acid, antioxidants, omega 3 fatty acids and plenty of water can help your senses to function well, keeping them healthy for longer.
Get Some Exercise
You might not think that exercise could benefit your senses, but it can. Exercise boosts your circulation and lowers your blood pressure. This can keep all areas of our body working well. Yoga can be very good for your senses, and cardio activity will boost your overall health.
Keep Warm
Being cold can be bad for your skin, affecting your sense of touch. It can lead to blocked noses and an inability to smell. Coldness can cause ear infections and damage, and you’ll find that things taste different if you are unwell with a winter bug. Keep yourself warm, and wrap up when it is cold outside.