The terms "life hack" and even "hack your life," have definitely been thrown about in conversation before, but what exactly does this mean? The dictionary definition of a life hack is: "A plan or approach that is employed in order for a person to more effectively manage his or her time and everyday activities." For want of a better phrase, it's all about figuring out how to alleviate some of life's everyday difficulties or challenges by employing innovative approaches that you might not have considered previously.
There's no disputing that as you become older, some tasks may become more difficult to do than they were previously. Health, mobility, and memory changes might make certain everyday duties more difficult than they were in your earlier years as a result of your changing circumstances. Also keep in mind that even if you've shrunk your house, you still want to make sure your living area is pleasant, well-organized, and in the safest possible condition. Those life hacks may be really useful at this point, especially when used as organizing advice or safety recommendations that all seniors should keep in mind to make their lives a little bit simpler.
Life Hack #1: Take Advantage of Your Smartphone's Camera
Nowadays, practically everyone has access to a smartphone. The Pew Research Center reports that 85 percent of persons 65 and older own a cell phone, with 46 percent of them owning smartphones. Smartphones are equipped with excellent cameras, which can be used in a number of ways to make your life easier and more convenient. Take a snapshot of your prescriptions or a list of your drugs, for example, in case you need to present it to your doctor or pharmacist, as well as to keep track of what medications you are now taking. Another option is to photograph the person holding the thing you are lending to a friend so that you will remember who borrowed what when you need it back later.
Life Hack #2: Make Rugs Grippier to Prevent a Slip and Fall
When a senior falls, he or she increases their chances of falling again by a factor of two. This is why preventing falls becomes increasingly crucial to your overall quality of life as you age. One of the most important safety suggestions for seniors is to attach any area rugs in your home with grip tape, non-skid liners, or even double-sided tape to assist prevent them from rolling around beneath your feet while you are walking.
Exercise may be made to work for you as a life hack #3.
Get at least 30 minutes of physical exercise every day to help you keep healthy and strong. Physical activity can also help you stay healthy and strong by increasing your immunity, improving your memory, and improving your mood. Getting that half hour of exercise, on the other hand, might be challenging for certain older persons, who may have reduced mobility or other health concerns. There are a variety of activities that you may do on a regular basis to raise your heart rate. For example, you may try breaking up your activities into 10-minute intervals throughout the day. Activities that can be performed while sitting in a chair, such as strength-training exercises, are also acceptable options.
Life Hack #4: Reduce the amount of time spent I'm looking for specific items.
Was it ever dawned on you that Americans spend around nine million hours every day looking for misplaced belongings? Consider what you could do if you had all that more time on your hands! A fantastic life hack for staying organized is to discover quick and easy ways to locate the items that you reach for on a regular basis. Examples include attaching remote controllers to the arm of the sofa or the arm of your favorite chair with Velcro strips, among other things. Maintaining a tiny box on your end table for items such as your glasses and the book you're now reading can help to ensure that you never lose track of where you put them.
Life Hack #5: Clear the Clutter from Your Life
It has been proven that clutter and stress go hand in hand, and you may find yourself feeling overwhelmed by the sheer quantity of "things" you own even after reducing. Applying the "Take 10 Method" to your house on a regular basis can help you to declutter your space. Schedule regular visits to one area in your home once a month to purge it of ten items. Set reminders on your calendar to do so. Clothing that you no longer wear, publications that you haven't read in years, or damaged objects that you know you'll never get around to mending are all examples of stuff that can be donated.