Having weak bones, joint pains, and muscle strains is a less fun token of getting old. A study claims that 85% of senior adults aged 65 to 85 experience musculoskeletal pain. If left alone, a small amount of pain can turn into a chronic condition. However, regular activities can improve physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Are you wondering how they can help? Read on to find out how an exercise routine leads to improved health for seniors.
1. Increase Bone Health and Strength
Though bone health is crucial, many people neglect to care for their bones. Neglecting your bone health can lead to reduced function or immobility. As a senior adult, you become more prone to immobility and chronic diseases. To prevent experiencing these health issues, develop an exercise routine you can enjoy. Doing regular activities build healthy bones and maintain their strength. Our bones are living tissues, and they change over time to the force placed upon them. Exercising allows the bone to adapt to the changes by building more bone and making it denser. Regular exercise can help prevent osteoporosis.
2. Decrease Risks of Falls
Anyone can trip, slip, or fall over. However, weak muscles, weak bones, and low bone density put senior adults more at risk of injury. Based on a report, about 36 million falls involve older citizens. Depending on how you land, you can suffer from a fracture on the wrist, hips, and pelvis. A minor fall could leave senior people immobile for days. In a worst-case scenario, a fall can cost one’s life. Strengthening your body can reduce the impact of the fall. You can do this by performing weight-bearing and resistance exercises, including walking, light dancing, and yoga. In a senior living community, a consultant develops a fitness guide apt for senior adults. You can guarantee the exercise routine made for you can strengthen your body. Often, you perform these activities within the facility and with a consultant.
3. Promotes Cardiovascular Health
One of the illnesses shared by most senior adults is cardiovascular disease. This health condition involves problems in the heart, vessels, or blood. Most cardiovascular diseases cause heart attacks or strokes. Suffering from a heart attack or stroke can result in life-changing consequences. It can damage your heart, weaken your immunity, and make you paralyzed. In preventing the development of heart disease, conducting physical activities helps. If you already have a routine, you can incorporate cardio exercises. It trains your cardiac muscle to improve its ability to draw oxygen. This can help reduce the pressure on your heart to pump blood. However, you must not overdo the exercise because it can damage your heart. Feeling fatigued for days can mean you overuse your muscles. To avoid straining your cardiac muscles, follow a routine. The recommended amount of time to exercise in a week is 150 minutes.
4. Boost Immunity
Aside from cardiovascular diseases, exercising can prevent the development of other chronic illnesses. It can save you from obesity, diabetes, and hypertension. If you suffer from any condition, exercising regularly can reduce the symptoms. Exercising strengthens the immune system, protecting you from infections. It makes the immune cells more active and increases their lasting presence. Before you exercise, visit your physician. Often, they conduct a physical examination and assess your medical history. Doing so ensures you do the proper type of exercise for your body and underlying conditions. If you are a resident in an assisted living community, ask for your consultant’s help in creating your goals. Ensure you start slow with your routine to prevent straining your body. Then, adjust your exercise routine.
5. Improves Sleep
Did you know that exercising can improve sleep? Many senior adults have trouble sleeping because of different factors. These factors may include medications, changes in sleeping patterns, and sleeping disorders. Unlike a sedentary life, an active older adult enjoys a deep sleep. Exercising raises your body temperature. When you cool down, your body begins to feel its effects. Then, it triggers the need to rest. To enjoy a night of deep sleep, senior adults must exercise in the morning. Doing so makes them active throughout the day. They have the energy to move and interact with people. As they use the energy they have, they start to feel sleepy when nighttime hits. Their body goes into a deep sleep to regain the energy used. When morning comes, you feel refreshed and well-rested.
6. Builds Positive Mental Health
Regardless of age, the brain produces endorphins when the person is exercising. It’s a chemical hormone released during pleasurable activities, reducing pain or stress. If you notice, exercising and following your routine uplifts your mood. Creating and following through with your exercise routine improves your well-being. When you feel good about yourself and your surroundings, your cognitive function benefits. Aside from preventing diseases, a positive mindset makes you active, interactive, and happy.
7. Improve Cognitive Function
Improved health for seniors includes better cognitive function and motor skills. Participating in activities becomes more difficult to do as you get older. Although normal, your inactivity can result in negative physical and psychological consequences. Failure to manage these frustrations can lead to a cognitive decline. In the worst-case scenario, you can develop Alzheimer’s disease. Remember, this condition is common among senior adults. Often, age-related changes, environment, and lifestyle trigger Alzheimer’s disease to develop.
However, some studies claim that regular physical activities are effective memory care. Exercising improves blood flow by not straining the heart. When this happens, blood flows to the brain tissues without a problem. It supplies the brain with enough oxygen and nutrients to function. As a result, reducing the risk of cognitive decline. It can work in dementia and Alzheimer’s care for senior adults with these conditions. Further, it helps them improve their motor skills and do the activities they missed.
Exercise Routine for Improved Health for Seniors
The body becomes weak as you get older. However, you can enjoy healthy living as an older adult if you exercise and follow a routine. Regular exercise improves health, strengthens bones and muscles, and builds positive mental health. At Inspired Living, we can create an exercise routine that can lead to improved health for seniors. Contact us today to learn how you can turn your later years into the prime of your life.
