As we age, the body goes through many changes, including stiffening joints and decreasing muscle mass. To maintain mobility, it is crucial to find ways to improve the flexibility of joints and muscles. By increasing flexibility, muscle mass and balance improve, which lowers the risk of falls and injuries. In addition, when a fall does occur, the body is better able to prepare for the impact, recover, and fewer injuries result.
At any age, it is normal to find it challenging to motivate yourself to get up and exercise. However, it is critical, especially for older adults, to consistently work out in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Despite the challenges of finding that motivation, there are many strategies you can apply to get yourself in the gym or wherever you like to exercise. So, if you are struggling with the motivation to exercise, we have you covered. We have gathered a list of tips that can help you finally find the inspiration to exercise!
Old age tends to slow us down. We believe that our mental and physical abilities are not as strong as they were in the years of our youth. While we may not feel as energetic as before, we should acknowledge the advantages of our golden years. We finally have the time to concentrate on our health, the wisdom to make better choices, and the freedom to welcome change. Do not let your senior years go to waste. Unhealthy eating habits, an inactive lifestyle, and weight gain will only expose you to a greater risk of developing chronic illnesses at this stage. Instead, make the most of this special time!
It is essential to stay fit and look your best during these golden years, so they become the best years of your life. You never know where life may take you or what will come your way. Prioritizing your health is the key to be prepared for everything. Staying fit at this point in life will inspire your younger family members to embrace healthy living as well. The fitter you are, the less prone you become to conventional health problems and personal injuries associated with old age.
Abide by these five golden rules to prove that age does not get in the way of becoming the best version of yourself!
Do you ever experience prolonged fatigue lasting more than two days after exercising or playing a game of golf? Do your muscles fatigue quickly? Do you want to improve efficiency in your muscles and move and feel better in your body?
When muscles are not performing optimally and efficiently, they often feel weak, tight, or are limited in their range of motion.
The reason for the weakness, tightness, or lack of range of motion is often met with forced stretching and strength training which can prove ineffective when the cause is neuromuscular.
There is a great misconception in the movement rehabilitation industry that we need to strengthen our muscles constantly. Truthfully, however, our ability to contract and release our muscles comes from messages sent down from the brain. We need to ensure that our muscles are getting the right messages to stay functional and efficient. Our muscles need a regular “reboot” to stay working well, particularly as we age.
Have you had this experience? You keep working harder and trying to improve your strength, but you do not feel like you are getting stronger?
Posture refers to how we position our bodies when sitting, standing, or laying down. Your overall health relies on good posture. It keeps your bones aligned with the rest of your body, and the tension in your muscles, ligaments, and tendons adequately spread. It even improves your blood flow.
Maintaining a good posture means that you hold your body in the best position possible to place minimal stress on your back and spine. Since our spines begin to change as we age, good posture becomes even more critical for older adults. Have you ever heard that as we age, we get shorter? Well, this is, in fact, true. The cushions between our bones start to break down and thin over time, plus the cartilage and tissues connecting our spines lose their elasticity and are not as thick. But, having good posture can help with this.
Falling is the number one reason for broken bones and injuries among older adults. The high number of falls means that learning how to be more aware of good posture is needed to improve balance and decrease falling chances. Good posture is also an osteoporosis preventative. It lowers heart attack and stroke risk, makes you feel happier, helps sustain memory recall, and helps with digestive issues.
Below are the ten tips we highly recommend for older adults to improve their posture.
Many consider spinning, a version of indoor stationary bicycling, to be an excellent activity for older adults. Physical activity is essential at any age, and spinning provides an exercise that is safe, low-impact, and easy on the joints. It improves movement, heart health, and helps prevent fall-related injuries. So, is a spin class right for you? Here are several reasons you should consider trying it out:
The trends and fads of the wellness and fitness industry keep changing. However, one thing that will always remain a staple will be the importance of low-impact exercises. Low-impact exercises make it possible to stay active, improve mobility, and build strength without putting unnecessary stress on the joints. Thus, low-impact exercises are among the most highly recommended physical activity options for aging adults.
If you are looking for ways to stay safe and healthy, here are ten of the best low-impact exercises for you:
Upon crossing the bridge into retirement, you will get the opportunity to enjoy what many consider to be the best days of your life. Unfortunately, many suffer from lower energy levels upon entering the age of retirement. Without that desired energy, enjoying your retirement to the fullest will be a challenge. There are numerous methods available for you to boost your energy at any age. Let's take a look at some of the most prominent techniques to jump-start and sustain that energy long into retirement!
According to the National Council on Aging (NCOA), every 1 in 4 people above 65 falls each year. An elderly individual gets treatments in the hospital's emergency room every 11 seconds. Every 19 seconds, there is a death of an older adult due to a fall.
Falls are among the leading causes of fatal injuries and trauma-related emergency admissions in hospitals among the elderly population. Falls result in over 2.8 million injuries treated in hospitals annually, including more than 800,000 in emergency departments and over 27,000 deaths.
There are several ways to prevent falls, such as getting enough sleep, staying physically active, and taking muscle relaxant medications or strengthening supplements. Exercising helps prevent falls because it improves your balance, strengthens your muscles, and increases flexibility. Here are the ten best exercises to improve balance and prevent falls!
Regular stretching offers a vast number of health benefits to older adults. Tight and stiff muscles can lead to poor posture. For instance, tight muscles in your chest, spine, and hips can cause poor posture and balance. Stretching exercises can improve pectoralis, hamstring, and upper trapezius muscles to improve posture.
Stretching improves flexibility and range of motion in your joints, leading to enhanced performance in physical activities for seniors. Back pain, especially lumbar spine pain, is a common health condition in older adults. Poor posture in the cervical spine (upper back) can lead to discomfort and pain in the lumbar spine (lower back). The condition is often due to tight hamstrings and hip flexors. Regular stretching can alleviate discomfort, inflammation, and pain in your back.
Additionally, stretching exercises can prevent muscle soreness and reduce the risk of injuries. In today's article, we will talk about five of the best stretching exercises for older adults. Read on!