As we grow older, nothing becomes more precious to us than our health, including our senses. Sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell are critical to how we experience the world and connect with everyone around us, and while some changes are inevitable, we really do need to embrace some practical steps to support them and ensure these stay sharp as we march forward in time. Here are some tips to make sure that you are caring for each sense sensibly:
Ensuring You Protect Your Eyes Properly
We will naturally experience changes in our eyesight. We can start to notice difficulty focusing on close objects like books or phone screens. This is where bifocal glasses can help by combining two prescriptions in one lens, one for distance and one for near vision. Regular eye tests are also essential because they don’t just detect subtle vision changes, but can catch early signs of eye diseases like cataracts or glaucoma. Also, don’t forget to protect your eyes with sunglasses that have UV protection, reduce screen glare wherever possible, and eat foods rich in lutein and vitamin A.
Guarding Your Hearing
In addition to regular hearing checks, you also need to avoid prolonged exposure to loud sounds and recognise that if you are someone who has used earbuds a lot, you should keep them at a sensible volume. There are so many aspects of our lives that can impact our hearing, for example, concerts or even cardio classes with loud music. Don’t forget to clean your ears, but do not insert cotton buds too deeply. Our ears are self-cleaning and only need gentle wiping on the outside edges.
Keep Your Skin Sensitive and Healthy
Our skin tends to lose moisture and elasticity as we age. Gentle exfoliation and moisturisers with hyaluronic acid or ceramides are critical, but don’t just focus on skin care on the outside, because you need to remember that circulation and active nerve endings are just as important. This is where yoga and gentle massage can make a huge difference. As we spend more time out in the sun, remember that UV rays can accelerate our skin’s ageing and therefore affect the sensitivity of the hands and face.
Nurturing Your Sense of Taste and Smell
Taste and smell are closely linked and both can fade as we get older. We need to stay curious about new flavours and experiment with herbs, spices, and fresh ingredients to reawaken these. It also means you need to keep up with your dental hygiene and avoid smoking, as both can be harsh on the delicate receptors in your mouth and nose. If you find your sense of smell reduced, this may signal underlying issues such as vitamin deficiencies or sinus problems.
Exercise Your Mind-Body Connection
Ultimately, our senses don’t work in isolation, but are guided by brain activity and muscle memory, and this is where mindful breathing, meditation, and gentle exercise can help keep those neural pathways strong. Look at practices like martial arts or dancing, as they engage all senses at once, which enhances our balance and awareness. Being socially active and learning new skills can stimulate the brain’s sensory network to protect these abilities later in life. It’s also vital to remember that preventative care is the key that ties everything together, and be sure to discuss any changes with your healthcare professionals.
Leave a Reply