Exercises for Seniors to Stay Healthy and Fit

As you age, maintaining a consistent exercise routine can become more difficult, and your mobility may become limited. Establishing an exercise plan to stay healthy and fit as a senior can prevent potential health issues and even improve your mood and wellbeing. Here, the home care providers at Avila Home Care outline exercises to help you stay healthy and fit in your later years. 

Exercise to Maintain Physical and Mental Wellbeing 

For seniors, physical activity can play a huge role in physical, mental and emotional health. Some benefits of a healthy and active lifestyle include a boosted immune system to help fight off illness more effectively, an improved cardiovascular function, a lowered risk of chronic conditions and stronger bones to help prevent breaks from a fall. Staying active as you age can help you feel more confident in your day-to-day life and abilities and also provide an outlet for socialization. Joining group workouts can help connect you with other like-minded seniors and give you a community that both holds you accountable and encourages you to maintain a lifestyle that will benefit you in the long-term. If you want some company while you exercise, consider joining a gym and finding a group of friends to take group classes with. You can also walk on a local indoor track or even walk around downtown areas and places such as museums or shopping malls. Physical activity can also provide various mental benefits for seniors. The release of endorphins can help with depression and anxiety, and exercise also increases blood flow to the brain.

Exercise While Exploring the Great Outdoors 

While the weather is getting colder, getting fresh air and outdoor exercise on mild winter days are great ways to stay healthy and active. Walks in your local park and outdoor yoga help keep both your body and your mind rejuvenated. Additionally, consider joining group classes such as water aerobics, which allow you to exercise while socializing with others. If you are not as mobile, do not discount common household chores as exercise, either. Yard work is a great way to increase productivity, get outside and exercise.

Exercise in the Comfort of Your Home 

If you are not a fan of the outdoors, not to worry! There are plenty of exercises that you can do in the comfort of your own home to maintain your health and wellbeing. Rigorous exercise does not need to be a part of your daily workout routine; instead, focus on improving your muscle strength, flexibility and balance with light, bodyweight exercises. This can help prevent physical injury and keep you mobile as you age. For example, exercises such as toe taps, heel raises and light dumbbell lifts in a chair can be beneficial techniques to strengthen and maintain the health of your arm and leg muscles. For enhancing your balance, try shifting your weight from one side to the other and focus on leg lifts in a cushioned and confined area to prevent injury. 

Learn More With Avila Home Care

As you age, your mobility tends to decrease, but that does not mean that you cannot maintain an active lifestyle. Creating an exercise regimen to increase your strength and flexibility, boost your emotional health and bolster your sense of community with group workouts can help you reap long-term benefits. Avila Home Care offers mobility services to aid with in-home exercises so you can stay fit. To learn more about what the dedicated home care providers at Avila can do for you, speak to one of our staff members today. 

The aging in place caregivers at Avila Home Care always encourage readers to discuss any health questions or concerns with a qualified healthcare professional.

Some content in this article was sourced from Healthline and the BJSM. 

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