Whoever said that the importance of exercise and fitness regresses as we age must not really know its valuable effects. In fact, exercise is the top secret to ageing healthy. As one grows older, the most likely it is needed for him or her to get moving. Exercise and fitness do not only keep your body healthy, it also helps keep your mind, mood and memory in top form. If you intend to keep yourself as far away from ailments and disabilities as possible, exercise even more. Grumpy seniors are those who chose not to get moving. This is one proof that exercise and fitness indeed enhances one’s mood.
Nobody can really be truly old and frail unable to exercise unless he is actually bed-ridden. Even house-bound seniors can have their daily dose of exercise. You don’t have to be out everyday just to keep fit. There are several ingenious ways to keep active around the house and here are some examples:
• Gardening/raking leaves
• Walking around the house or even your neighborhood
• Cleaning/vacuuming the house/lifting weights while watching TV
These are but simple everyday things you can accomplish and at the same time be able to put order into your home. However if you are up to doing exercise outdoors or with a group, here are some wonderful ways to keep fit:
• Enroll in senior sports or fitness classes – these provide fun, stress relief and a place to meet friends.
• If you have good feet and feel for the water, be involved in water aerobics and water sports. Water reduces stress and strain on the body’s joints making it ideal for seniors.
• Find relaxing and renewal in: Yoga – its combined series of poses and breathing works on strength, flexibility and balance; or Tai Chi – these systems that are martial arts inspired increase balance and strength.
If you are a senior, the National Institute for Health (NIH) recommends four types of exercises:
• Strength exercises – enabling the building of muscles for older adults and helps in keeping weight and blood sugar at level by increasing one’s metabolism.
• Balance exercises – developing leg muscles for good balance and thus preventing falls. In almost all hospitals around the U.S, majority of admissions of seniors are brought about by falls causing fractures that at times have permanent consequences.
• Stretching exercises – enhances movement and improves endurance and strength for that active lifestyle.
• Endurance exercises – increases heart rate and breathing for an extended period of time thus building up endurance gradually.
To age is not to allow frailty and weaknesses eat up your life. By staying fit and exercising, you have the opportunity to live and enjoy life free from disability and stress.
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