by Robert Borges on April 11, 2019
Leading an active lifestyle is important as we age, to help rebuild our metabolism, maintain a healthy weight and help keep illnesses at bay. As well as improving our physical health, exercise is also highly beneficial for improving mood and mental well-being. As such we have explored 5 different ways to stay active as we get older.
1. Yoga
A popular exercise for people of every age, yoga has risen in popularity due to its ability to build strength, improve balance and increase flexibility. Shown to help with problems such as arthritis and back pain, yoga can greatly assist in reducing discomfort and is a fantastic way to get exercise. Whilst some yoga poses may be ambitious for those with limited mobility, as part of a class with a qualified instructor, yoga can be excellent exercise for us as we get older.
Yoga has also been shown to reduce stress and anxiety as part of the breathing exercises, which is excellent for improving mental well-being and increasing relaxation.
2. Gardening
Gardening can be a fantastic way to get gentle exercise whilst taking part in a popular and familiar hobby. Especially useful as part of dementia activities, gardening also provides benefits such a sensory stimulation which is excellent for both physical and mental well-being. The acts of planting seeds, using a trowel, watering plants or pruning leaves are all great for building strength and improving hand-eye coordination.
3. Dancing
A fun way to get exercise, dancing has been shown to improve strength, balance and muscle function in older adults. As we get older, our stability and balance can diminish and, as such, dancing can provide an excellent way to maintain these functions.
As well as being a brilliant way to get exercise, dancing is also incredibly beneficial for building social connections which is vital as we age to reduce loneliness. Socialisation as part of dancing can help to release endorphins, increasing happiness and improving mental well-being.
4. Walking
Getting regular exercise by walking is great for improving cardiovascular health and can be linked to reducing high blood pressure and staying independent longer. Joining a walking group as part of active adult communities can also help to build social connections and improve mood.
5. Seated Exercises
Mobility restrictions can sometimes lead to a less active lifestyle, however there are plenty of seated exercises which can help to build strength, improve mood and boost circulation. If you want to improve flexibility, why not try a variety of arm stretches and leg extensions and for strength why not use small weights for bicep curls or try sit-stand exercises.
There are many different ways to stay active as we age, with a variety of exercises offering a multitude of benefits for both our physical and mental health. Why not explore new activities to see which are most suited to your abilities and ensure you are getting the required amount of exercise to stay healthy.
