Senior Living News

The Physical Benefits of Staying Active

Engaging in activities you enjoy, such as Wii games and community-organized exercise programs, may help you maintain your independence and general wellness as you age. An active lifestyle goes beyond reaching your step goal and includes participating in activities that support your mental and cognitive health.

Improved General Health

Regular exercise helps older adults prevent cardiovascular disease, giving you an enjoyable way to boost your mood, stay active and maintain your overall health. Additionally, the NIA shows a connection between regular exercise and both longevity and a lower risk of heart attack or stroke.

Enhanced Mobility

Structured exercise programs for seniors incorporate movements that promote flexibility, strength and balance. This helps you develop the muscles you need to maintain or improve your mobility, reducing your reliance on aids such as walkers and canes and decreasing the likelihood of experiencing a fall.

Muscle Preservation

According to Harvard Medical School, older adults lose an average of 5 pounds of muscle every decade after age 60. While this can take a toll on joint and bone health, participating in regular exercise can slow or even reverse the trend.

The Mental and Emotional Benefits of an Active Lifestyle

While fitness activities have clear benefits for physical health, their mental and emotional benefits are equally significant, helping boost brain health and foster social interactions.

Cognitive Function

Participating in physical exercise or mentally stimulating activities may have a positive impact on your memory. According to a recent study, older adults who participated in BAILAMOS programming, which features Latin dance, saw improvements in their ability to recall information.

Mental Health

Physical activity, such as structured exercise programs, encourages the body to release endorphins, the brain’s feel-good chemicals that improve your sense of well-being. This makes it an effective, medication-free way to manage symptoms of conditions such as depression and anxiety.

Social Connections

Exercise classes such as the ones available at LifeStream at Sun City provide opportunities for residents to connect with their neighbors and build friendships while enjoying common interests.

The Best Types of Activities for Seniors

For those who want to incorporate more physical activity into their weekly schedule, several types of exercise are suitable for seniors.

• Strength training: Strength training helps prevent age-related muscle loss, which is important for bone density, mobility and fall prevention.
• Low-impact aerobics: Activities such as walking, swimming and cycling promote heart health without putting stress on your joints.
• Flexibility and balance exercises: Yoga, tai chi and Pilates focus on improving muscle strength and overall balance, helping you maintain your mobility and remain independent.

Overcoming Barriers to an Active Lifestyle

Diving into a new fitness regimen can feel intimidating, especially if you’re living with limited mobility or chronic pain. Fortunately, these barriers don’t need to keep you from enjoying the physical and mental benefits of regular exercise.

Common Challenges

• Fear of injury: Many seniors worry that they may hurt themselves when they begin a new exercise program or worsen existing conditions such as arthritis.
• Chronic pain: Existing health conditions that cause chronic pain may make it difficult to start or maintain a consistent exercise routine.
• Limited mobility: For those who use wheelchairs or who rely on other mobility aids such as walkers, participating in group exercise may feel out of reach.
• Time constraints: Seniors who have busy lifestyles may have a difficult time seeing how they can incorporate a fitness regimen into their schedules.

Solutions for Barriers to an Active Lifestyle

Fortunately, seniors can take several steps to overcome these challenges.

• Talk to a health care provider: Before embarking on any new fitness program, it’s important to talk to your doctor first. They can help ensure your heart is healthy enough for increased activity and provide personalized tips on exercising safely.
• Start slow: Begin with low-impact exercises that are easy on your muscles and joints, then gradually build up to more strenuous exercises as your fitness improves.
• Set realistic goals: Setting measurable, achievable goals makes it easy to track your progress and stay motivated to stick with your fitness plan.
• Stay properly nourished: Adequate nutrition and hydration support your exercise regimen and may help you minimize or avoid muscle soreness, as well as reduce your risk of injury.
• Join a group class: One of the biggest benefits of exercise for seniors comes from the social aspect. While an exercise mat and a set of dumbbells are all you need to get an effective workout in your apartment, participating in community activities such as Wii games and cornhole provides opportunities to socialize with friends and neighbors.

Stay Independent

Not only does maintaining an active lifestyle help you build physical and mental health and resilience, it also allows you to maximize your independence and quality of life for years to come. Even if you’re new to structured exercise, it’s never too late to reap the benefits of an active lifestyle.

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