And the mood benefits of exercise can be just as great at 70 or 80 as they were at 20 or 30. It also lowers your risk for a variety of conditions, including Alzheimer’s and dementia, heart disease, diabetes, certain cancers, high blood pressure, and obesity. I’m going to get old anyway.”įact: Regular physical activity helps you look and feel younger and stay independent longer. No matter your age or physical condition, it’s never too late to get your body moving, boost your health and outlook, and improve how well you age. You can gain the benefits from adding more movement and activity to your life, even in small ways. And reaping the rewards of exercise doesn’t have to involve strenuous workouts or trips to the gym. Becoming more active can energize your mood, relieve stress, help you manage symptoms of illness and pain, and improve your overall sense of well-being.
While these may seem like good reasons to slow down and take it easy as you age, they’re even better reasons to get moving. Or maybe you just think that exercise is boring.
If you’ve never exercised before, you may not know where to begin, or you may think you’re too old or frail and can never live up to the standards you set when you were younger. You may feel discouraged by health problems, aches and pains, or concerns about injuries or falls. Starting or maintaining a regular exercise routine can be a challenge at any age-and it doesn’t get any easier as you get older. Overcoming obstacles to getting active as you age Getting active may even help slow the progression of brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. It can aid brain functions as diverse as multitasking and creativity, and help to prevent memory loss, cognitive decline, and dementia. Improve your brain function Activities like Sudoku or crossword puzzles can help keep your brain active, but little comes close to the beneficial effects of exercise on the brain. Being active and feeling strong can also help you feel more self-confident. Exercise is a huge stress reliever and the endorphins produced can actually help reduce feelings of sadness, depression, and anxiety. Regular activity can help you fall asleep faster, sleep more deeply, and wake feeling more energetic and refreshed.īoost your mood and self-confidence. Quality sleep is vital for your overall health as you get older. Strength training can also help alleviate the symptoms of chronic conditions such as arthritis. Exercise improves your strength, flexibility, and posture, which in turn can help with your balance and coordination, and reduce your risk of falls. People who exercise tend to have improved immune and digestive functioning, better blood pressure and bone density, and a lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, obesity, heart disease, osteoporosis, and certain cancers.Įnhance your mobility, flexibility, and balance. Reduce the impact of illness and chronic disease. Regular exercise helps increase your metabolism and build muscle mass, helping your body to burn more calories. As your metabolism naturally slows with age, maintaining a healthy weight can become a challenge. Physical health benefits of exercise for seniorsĪs an older adult, exercise can help you to: It’s never too late to find simple, enjoyable ways to become more active, improve your mood and outlook, and reap all of the physical and mental health benefits of exercise. Regular exercise is also good for your mind, mood, and memory. Getting moving can help boost your energy, maintain your independence, protect your heart, and manage symptoms of illness or pain as well as your weight. But getting active is not just about adding years to your life, it’s about adding life to your years. But as you grow older, an active lifestyle becomes more important than ever to your health.Ī recent Swedish study found that physical activity was the number one contributor to longevity, adding extra years to your life-even if you don’t start exercising until your senior years. Or perhaps you think that exercising simply isn’t for you. It may be due to health problems, weight or pain issues, or worries about falling. There are many reasons why we tend to slow down and become more sedentary with age. What are the benefits of exercise for older adults? These easy tips will help you get started safely and make it fun. Exercise & fitness Senior Exercise and Fitness Tips No matter your age or physical condition, it’s never too late to start exercising and get fit.