Here at seniors-site.com, we encourage seniors to stay active in order to promote quality of life and of course, enjoy what life may bring you during your retirement years. We are most particular with seniors enjoying the company of their family and friends, be able to do the things that are otherwise impossible back in your working years and keep balance on all aspects of your life. These things are indeed not possible if a senior opt to give in to the comfort of easy, couch-potato life most of us are offered with nowadays.
Research showed that inactivity makes the aging process go faster than it should. Not the natural aging process, but the way you use your body determines your life span as well as the quality of life you are most likely to have in your later years. With this said, staying active is the only way to go for seniors, that is, if you still want to stay on top of your game, wrinkles and all!
Staying active indeed has many benefits for seniors. Physically, it improves your mobility and flexibility—two things that are essential in staying independent. Muscle strength is also important as it goes hand in hand with your balance—the thing that keeps you from falling and breaking your precious bones. You can only improve your muscle strength if you stay active and do exercises and activities that actually encourage it. Furthermore, cardio exercises improve your cardiovascular capacity which prevents your energy levels from dropping unnecessarily.
Mentally, staying active boosts self-esteem and self-confidence since you are most likely be feeling good about yourself in general. This way, you are keeping depression at bay and adapt a more positive outlook in life. It reduces anxiety, and helps seniors focus on more important things. Socially, it encourages seniors to participate in activities wherein there will be other seniors of the same interests thus enabling them to make friends and not feel isolated or alone. One good thing about being socially engaged is that it promotes social awareness making seniors more conscious of what’s happening around them.
Staying active need not be a scary affair for seniors especially to those who are not quite active. You don’t need a “muscle-man” type of programs and exercises as you are not competing for the title anyway. Just a simple walking or jogging can be an adequate starting point. Even starting an activity that will encourage your body to move like gardening or volunteering is a good way to start your active lifestyle. However, it should be something that is within your interest range so you can stick with it on a regular basis. Bear in mind that staying active is not a one-time affair, it should be an ongoing affair and a part of you as a person.
