Benefits of Exercise for Senior Citizens
By Madhusudhan Tammisetti
With age, many tend to participate less in physical activity. The reasons may include weight issues, health problems, or worrying about falling down. Or, you may feel exercise isn't for you. But as you age, a physically active lifestyle becomes more important for your health.
Many studies indicate physical activity contributes to longevity even if you don't exercise until your senior years. Getting moving may boost your energy, protect your heart, manage weight issues, reduce the risk of serious diseases, and help you fight pain. Regular exercise may help improve your mood and memory. There are many ways to become physically active to improve your outlook and reap physical exercise benefits.
Physical Health Benefits
With age, metabolism slows down, and maintaining a healthy weight becomes challenging. Regular exercise may help increase your metabolism and assist in building muscle mass, which, in turn, may help you burn more calories. Exercising may help you manage weight-related issues.
Exercise may reduce the risk of illness and chronic diseases. Exercising may improve your blood pressure and bone density, digestive functioning and may lower the risk of heart disease, obesity, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, osteoporosis, and certain cancers.
Exercise may help improve mobility, flexibility, strength, and posture that can help maintain your balance and improve coordination, which, in turn, reduces the risk of falling. Strength training may help you relieve the symptoms of chronic medical conditions such as arthritis.
Mental Health Benefits
Quality sleep is important for good health, especially for elders. With regular activity, you may fall asleep quickly, sleep more deeply, and wake up in the morning more energetic and refreshed.
Relieving stress is one of the benefits of doing exercise. When you exercise, the body releases endorphins that reduce depression, anxiety, and sadness. Regular exercise may make you feel strong, which in turn helps you feel more self-confident.
Playing sudoku or crossword puzzles may keep your brain active, but exercise benefits far outweigh in keeping you in good mental health condition. Regular exercise may prevent memory loss, dementia, and cognitive decline. It may also help in multitasking and improve creativity.
Overcoming Obstacles
It's challenging for any age group to start or maintain a regular exercise routine, and when you grow older, it becomes more difficult. Concerns about injuries, aches, pain, falls, and different health problems may discourage you from exercising or maintaining a physically active lifestyle.
They may look like good reasons to slow down as you age. But there are many good reasons to get on your tracksuit and go for a 30-minute walk. Regular exercise boosts your physical and mental health and lowers the risk of chronic diseases.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Goodyear, Ariz.