Mind-Body Wellness: Incorporating Exercise into Daily Life
Healthy lifestyles often include a health-conscious diet and some element of exercise, regardless of which type you prefer. These two components are crucial to maintaining physical fitness at any age. However, seniors may struggle to exercise like their younger companions and family members, which can make staying fit that much more challenging.
Benefits of Exercise
Exercising can be fun and rewarding as long as you maintain proper form and listen to your body. The benefits of exercising include reduced joint pain, improved mood, better sleep quality, increased energy, a reduced risk of chronic diseases, and strong bones and muscles. Exercise can also lend itself to a better quality of life.
How to Incorporate Exercise Into Your Daily Life
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a minimum of 150 minutes per week of moderate aerobic activity. The National Institute on Aging also recommends incorporating elements of strength, balance, endurance, and flexibility into your routine.
The best part about exercising lies in the fact that you can easily incorporate various techniques into your daily routine. For example, you can do a few minutes of cardio one day and then work on your mobility the next. Below are other ways you can add a few minutes of exercise into your daily life:
- Talk to your doctor about which exercises you’re medically cleared to complete.
- Establish a goal for your exercise routine and write it down. If necessary, break your goal into steps, or create multiple goals you can achieve in a reasonable amount of time.
- Find local classes that offer exercise programs on subjects you like. For example, if you enjoy swimming but lifting weights is painful, consider pool aerobics, which has low-impact properties.
- Plan a short walk after your meals to lower your blood sugar and breathe fresh air.
- Find a friend to work out with you. It’s more fun and motivating to work toward a goal if you have your own personal cheerleader.
Although it may be tempting to start out with a bunch of new exercises to keep your exercise momentum going, remember that slow and steady wins the race. Choose one or two exercises at the most and see if you can maintain a steady schedule for about a week or two. Once you can maintain that pace, add or switch out exercises for variety.
Compassionate Care For Seniors: Visiting Angels of Webster
Caring for local seniors allows Visiting Angels of Webster caregivers the chance to make a positive difference in the lives of those in our community. Senior health remains close to our hearts. Here are examples of how we support various aspects of senior health:
- The Role of Nutrition in Happy Aging
- Setting Attainable Health Goals for Seniors
- Staying Flexible: Tips for Aging Seniors
- Gastrointestinal Changes in Seniors
- 4 Tips to Help Seniors Manage Arthritis Pain
Contact us to learn more about our senior home care services and how we can improve the quality of life of you, your spouse, or your aging loved one. Our caregiving staff welcomes the chance to discuss your needs and craft a personalized care plan.