As you grow older, consistent exercise becomes more crucial than ever to your mind and body.
Physical health advantages of fitness and exercise for seniors include:
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Maintaining or losing weight: As the metabolism slows with age, sustaining a healthy weight becomes challenging. Exercise assists in increasing metabolism and building muscle mass, aiding in burning more calories. As the body attains a healthy weight, total wellness improves.
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Reducing the impact of chronic disease and illness: Amongst the several advantages of exercise for the elderly involve better immune function, improved blood pressure and heart health, improved bone density, and improved digestive functioning. Older individuals who exercise additionally possess a reduced threat of several severe conditions involving Alzheimer’s disease, colon cancer, osteoporosis, heart disease, obesity and diabetes.
- Enhancing balance, flexibility and mobility: Exercise will improve your posture, flexibility and strength that in return, will assist with coordination, balance, and decreasing the threat of falls. Strength training additionally aids in alleviating the symptoms of severe conditions like arthritis.
Mental health advantages of fitness and exercise for seniors:
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Exercise will improve sleep: Poor sleep isn’t an automatic result of aging and quality of sleep is critical for your total health. Exercise oftentimes improves sleep, aiding you in falling asleep more rapidly and sustaining a deeper sleep.
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Exercise boosts self-confidence and mood: Endorphins caused by exercise could assist you in feeling better and reducing feelings of depression and sadness. Feeling strong and being active naturally aids you in feeling more sure of yourself and self-confident.
- Exercise is great for your brain: Exercise will benefit consistent brain functions and help to keep your brain active, preventing memory loss, dementia, and cognitive decline. Exercise might even assist in slowing the progression of brain disorders like Alzheimer’s.
Tips for Safely Getting Started
Dedicating to a physical activity routine will be one of the healthiest decisions you’ll make. Prior to getting moving, think about how best to remain safe.
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Obtain clinical clearance from a physician prior to beginning an exercise routine, particularly if you possess a preexisting condition.
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Consider your health concerns. Bear in mind how your ongoing health issues will affect your routines.
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Begin gradually. If you have not been active in a long time, it could be dangerous to go “all out.” Rather, build up the exercise routine little by little.
- Recognize issues. Exercise must never make you feel lousy or hurt. Immediately stop exercising and contact the physician if you feel short of breath, dizzy, develop chest pressure or pain, break out into a cold sweat, or have pain.
About the Author: Aaron Garcia is an experienced caretaker of the elderly, specifically those with arthritis. He understands the importance of exercise for arthritis sufferers, and additionally recommends Craftmatic adjustable beds for temporary relief of the symptoms of arthritis.