Physical Activity for Older Adults
Physical activity is good for you, even in your later years. In fact, it is one of the best investments you can make in the second half of your life.
Retired people should try to be more physically active than ever, since a regular physical activity routine can improve their health and enhance their quality of life. Physical activity for older adults:
- Provides an enjoyable pastime.
- Helps to maintain independence.
- Prevents disease.
- Helps to manage the symptoms of an existing disease and slow down the progression.
- Supports a faster recovery from surgery or a fall.
Enjoying Your Later Years
We no longer believe that retirement means just sitting back and taking it easy. Too much time in the easy chair, and you won’t be able to get out of it!
Being moderately active for as little as 30 to 60 minutes a day will increase the quality and quantity of your life. Considering that there are 1,440 minutes in every day, that’s a pretty good deal.
Regular physical activity will allow you to keep doing the things you enjoy, or better yet, to try something new. When you play with the grandkids, you’ll be able to keep up with them. You’ll be able to travel, volunteer, dance, canoe, hike, play baseball or coach a team. Age doesn’t have to stop you from having fun.
Managing and Preventing Disease
According to the World Health Organization, sedentary living (that is, being a couch potato) is the greatest health risk for older adults. Now is the time to get moving, even if you never have before.
Regular physical activity can slow down or even reverse the progression of a chronic disease. And it’s one of the best ways to manage the symptoms of a disease. For example, arthritis sufferers can find pain relief in gentle movement of the joints. As the fitness experts say, “Motion is the lotion for your joints!” Keeping your muscles strong also helps to make the joints stronger and healthier.
Investing in Your Health
The time and money required to support a regular physical activity program can give you great returns. How much is it worth to maintain your health and independence? Where would you prefer to spend your time and money? On enjoying life? Or on being sick?
Remember, your body cannot “store” fitness. Activity has to be a regular part of your daily or weekly routine.
Physical activity is just as important in your older years as it was when you were young. But it is never too late to start, and you will benefit at any age.
Physical activity will help you enjoy life and manage disease. It is one of the smartest investments you could ever make, and you don’t have to wait 20 years to start cashing in. You will start to see benefits within weeks!
Source: HealthyAlberta.com
Tags: Managing Disease, Physical Activity, Preventing Disease, Retired people