by Chelsea Couch, HHSC Texercise Coordinator
Developing healthy behavior habits, such as engaging in physical activity and healthy eating, is important for aging and living well, but the high heat associated with Texas summers can limit our ability to be outside.
There are things you can do to stay healthy during the Texas summer months. These include:
• Proper hydration: Proper hydration is important for our health and can impact our mood and productivity. During the summer months with soaring temperatures, it is even more crucial to stay hydrated. Tips for staying hydrated include drinking water first thing in the morning, carrying a water bottle with you while running errands and opting for water when eating out. Learn more by downloading the Texercise Importance of Hydration fact sheet using the Aging Well Resources Order Form.
• Exercise indoors
: Indoor activities are a great way to stay active without being exposed to extreme temperatures. Using fitness videos at home or visiting a local community/senior center are great ways to engage in indoor physical activity to prevent dehydration and overheating.
• Being informed: Knowing about resources and services to support healthy aging can assist older Texans in aging and living well. The aging services networks (e.g., Area Agencies on Aging) provide an array of services to support older Texans to age in place.
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission has a variety of resources to support healthy aging. These include:
• The Aging Well Resources Order Form includes aging resources for being healthy, being connected and being informed. To learn more, view the Aging Well Resources Order Form.
• Texercise, a health promotions initiative, provides free physical activity and nutrition resources to educate, motivate and engage adults age 45 and older in healthy behaviors. To learn more, visit the Texercise website.
• The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program assists people with buying the food they need for good health. To learn more, visit the SNAP website.
• Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) provide older adults, their families and caregivers with nutrition services, including home and congregate meals as well as evidence-based fitness programs. To connect with the nearest AAA, call Texas Health and Human Services at 800-252-9240.
• 2-1-1 is the source of information about state and local services and programs. For more information, call 2-1-1 or visit the Texas 211 website.