Why is Staying Active Important for Seniors?

July 30, 2020 | Wellness

Living a regularly active lifestyle helps to improve your mental and physical health, enhance strength, improve mobility and increase your mental capacity. Regular amounts of physical exercise can also help prevent you from experiencing emotional problems and memory decline as you age.

Research shows that with regular exercise, you promote a higher level of physical wellness, one of the eight dimensions of wellness for seniors. Physical wellness focuses on your body’s ability to maintain a healthy quality of life that allows you to get through daily activities without feeling excessive amounts of fatigue or stress.

5 Senior-Friendly Exercises You Can Do from Home

Here are five different exercises you can do to stay active from the comfort of your own home.

1. Yoga. Yoga is a great way for you to improve flexibility, balance and strength. On top of that, you don’t need to be an expert to do it! There are all levels of yoga practice and it can be done in any room of your home. You can also practice yoga outdoors, making it a great way to stay active without having to leave your yard. If you’re not sure where to start on your yoga journey, try watching a few beginner, senior-friendly yoga videos.
2. Walking. This is one of the simplest ways you can continue to stay active at home. Walking can be done while standing and marching in place inside your home or walking outdoors around your community if you’re able to. The total distance you walk doesn’t necessarily matter, as long as you continue to move the entire time.
3. Stretching Exercises. Often, people don’t think of stretching as an exercise, but it is a great way to improve your coordination and relieve muscle tension. Stretching requires you to actively move and lengthen your muscles. There are a variety stretching exercises you can do that are available online.
4. Exercise Videos. There are many great, free exercise videos online that are specifically made for seniors. Whether you want to try chair exercises, a guided walking video, or a low impact core workout, you can find easy-to-follow videos online and stream them in your living room.
5. Balance Exercises. Balance exercises help you strengthen the muscles that help keep you upright and reduce your risk of experiencing a fall. There are a variety of simple balance exercises designed for seniors that you can do from the comfort of your own home to improve your balance and increase your overall strength.

3 Benefits of Exercise for Seniors

There are many health benefits you can experience by incorporating exercise into your daily routine:

1. Disease Prevention. Maintaining regular exercise can potentially help protect you from common disease like heart disease and diabetes. When you exercise on a regular basis, you are improving your immune system and helping your body fight off illness.
2. Improved Mental Health. When you exercise, your body produces endorphins that help relieve stress and leave you feeling happy. Exercise can also help you sleep better and boost your mood.
3. Increased Cognitive Function. When exercise is made a part of your regular routine, you help to improve your cognitive function. Studies have also shown that regular amounts of physical activity can help lower your risk of dementia.

Live an Active and Fit Lifestyle at CC Young

At CC Young, we understand the benefits of regular exercise and a healthy lifestyle for all residents and provide you with ample opportunities to live an active lifestyle. Our Dr. Kenneth Cooper Fitness Center is the perfect place for you to exercise and stay fit.

We offer you a variety of fitness activities that you can take part in alone or with a friend. Our fitness center offers:

• Small group fitness training
• 2,000 square foot equipment room
• Strength and cardiovascular training
• Massage therapy
• Fitness and wellness classes
• Chair aerobics
• Walking club
• Yoga, Tai-Chi and line dancing classes
• And much more!

Contact us today at 214-817-0485 to learn more about our Dr. Kenneth Cooper Fitness Center and all of the health and fitness opportunities waiting for you at CC Young.

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