Exercise for Healthy Aging

By Donna Stark

Over the hill at age 50? Slowing down at age 60? Ready for the rocking chair at 70? Don't even think like that! There are plenty of things you can do to slow down the aging process, live longer, and add more life to your years, but one of the most important is exercise. A sedentary lifestyle can be debilitating to a person if it goes on for too long, so if you find that you are sitting more often than not, and are aging quicker than you ever imagined, get up and start moving! Your life depends on it.

Exercise for Healthy Aging

Healthy aging requires a dose of daily exercise, but everyone knows that once we pass a certain age, fitness starts to look quite a bit different. If you would like to improve your health but don't know how to exercise safely, take a look at the following suggestions.

Stretching

You may think that stretching is only good for your muscles, but you would be wrong. Stretching helps to improve circulation, boost energy, encourage proper posture, and reduce injuries, too! It's important to add stretches to your daily routine, but make sure you stretch the right way. Take time with your stretches, ease into them slowly, and don't force them past the point of slight discomfort.  

Walking

Walking is a terrific way to get your blood pumping and your body moving safely. It is a low-impact exercise that helps you maintain a healthy weight, reduce the risk of chronic disease, improve sleep, restore joint function, and relieve stress. You can't go wrong with walking because it doesn't require any special equipment and you can do it anywhere!

Swimming

If you want a full-body workout that is easy on your joints, try swimming! Swimming can help tone your body, build endurance, improve lung function, and maintain a healthy weight. It's the perfect cardio workout that doesn't leave you standing in a puddle of sweat.

Cycling

There is nothing more satisfying than being outdoors and improving your fitness at the same time, so pull your bike out of the garage and hit the road! Like walking and swimming, cycling is an exercise that is low-impact and safe for your joints. It raises your heart rate and helps to burn all those extra calories and fat you are carrying around. On top of that, you can also invest in an indoor cycle to use as backup on bad weather days.

Living a Healthy Life

Don't let the numbers fool you. No matter what your age, there is always going to be a way to stay physically active. So find the exercise that speaks to your heart and get moving. You've got a lot of years left to live!

To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Littleton, Colo.