There is a popular myth that as you get older, your fitness naturally declines. That’s why seniors often have poor balance, flexibility, stamina, and strength. But this isn’t true. These health issues are related to inactivity more than age. Not exercising is the root of the problem.
How Do You Get Started?
Make It a Social Activity
Other than this harmful myth, one thing that stops seniors from exercising is that they don’t have the motivation to do it. Getting into a new routine can be difficult to do on your own. Workouts after long periods of inactivity are challenging, and trying something new is intimidating.
The best solution is to pick a group activity. Researchers have found that seniors are more likely to exercise when it’s a social event with participants within their own age group. Turning your workouts into opportunities to bond with other like-minded people is a great way to stay motivated. You’ll never want to miss a class.
This is why moving into a modern senior community can be good for you. A top-quality senior home providing independent age in place retirement living and community-building events is the perfect place to improve your health and fitness. As a resident, you will have access to a long list of social groups, events, workshops, and exercise classes. You can work out with your neighbours any day of the week.
Start Slow
If you haven’t exercised for a long time, you should start slow. It’s better to dip your toe into the shallow end instead of jumping straight into the deep end. Ease into your new fitness routine by doing stretches in the morning or going for walks in the afternoon. Over time, you can increase the time and intensity of your workouts.
Choose the Right Activities
Physical injuries and health problems can feel like enormous hurdles that you can’t get over. But, luckily, there are lots of activities out there that can accommodate any limitation. Walking is a simple activity that many seniors can do, even with the help of a mobility aid. Swimming and water aerobics are low-impact exercises that are easy on the joints. There are different types of yoga that you can do when you’re living with chronic joint pain and balance issues.
Why Should You Exercise?
Getting into an exercise routine in your senior years will be incredibly rewarding. Here are just some of the benefits it brings:
- It improves your cardiovascular health. Studies prove that even small amounts of exercise can reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease in comparison to people who don’t exercise at all.
- It improves your mood. Exercise creates endorphins, which make you feel energized and happy.
- It improves your cognitive abilities like memory and problem-solving. This reduces your risk of developing dementia.
- It improves your flexibility and balance, which decreases your chances of injury from slips and falls.
- It improves your sleep. As long as you don’t work out too close to bedtime, you’ll have an easier time falling asleep and getting into a deeper sleep state. Your sleep affects your balance, memory, immune system, and mood.
Think of the saying, “if you don’t use it, you lose it.” When you don’t stay fit, you’ll lose the benefits that come with fitness. So, it’s time to get back into the old habit and start exercising again.
