AS WE AGE, our minds and bodies undergo a wide variety of mental, emotional, and physical changes. While some aspects of life may become more difficult, active living for older adults is still well within reach.
Exercise for the young is important, but exercise for the older person is imperative. Being physically active is the cornerstone of healthy aging. Many characteristics that we used to attribute to aging—weight gain, brittle bones, forgetfulness, loss of muscle strength—are actually brought about by inactivity. There is no part of the body that doesn’t benefit from regular exercise.
Exercise is a terrific way to keep going physically and mentally. Being physically active will make you feel energized and less stressed, ready to meet the daily challenges we all face. If you already lead an active lifestyle, that’s great! Keep it up! Or maybe you need to be more active but have trouble finding the time in an already busy day.
At least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity five days per week for a total of 150 minutes gives you important health benefits. A walking program is flexible and boasts high success rates because you can stick with it. It’s easy for walking to become a regular and satisfying part of life. There are many benefits of active living for older adults, including allowing you to retain more of your independence. Physical exercise is also proven to:
• Boost the immune system to help prevent or control illnesses.
• Improve cognitive functioning and prevent memory loss.
• Help manage some chronic diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, heart diseases, and certain cancers.
• Promote good cardiovascular health. While a wide range of physical activities are appropriate for seniors,
n some of the most effective are chair yoga, Pilates, walking, water aerobics, and body weight and resistance band workouts.
Physical activity is a great way for older adults to gain substantial health benefits and maintain independence. Try to make exercise a priority. Remember that being active is one of the most important things you can do each day to maintain and improve health. Try these tips to help you stay motivated: Find simple ways to make exercise fun and enjoyable; find ways to fit exercise into your day; make exercise a social activity; and keep track of your exercise progress.
Don’t forget to build rewards into your plan. Write down something you will do for yourself when your goals are achieved. Treat yourself to something special: a movie, a new audio book, or a massage.
You can do it! So celebrate your successes!
Daniel J. Jachimiak, BA, is a feature writer, journalist, and speaker. He can be reached at djachimiak@bex.net or 419-787-2036. ✲
