If there’s something we can all agree on as mankind, time is older than all of us. They say that you can’t defy time and space. But don’t we modify spaces every day in our homes and workplaces?
Well, enough with the philosophical chit chat, aging is part of life. And as one heads toward the peak, some of the consequences it comes with are unlikable to many. These range from diminished strength to reduced balance, lower immunity, sagging skin, wrinkles, joint problems, mobility issues, menopause infertility in women and, well… the list is endless.
But if there’s one important thing to do as you approach your sunset days, call it to exercise! We can all agree that the benefits of regular exercise are priceless. The right exercise for your aching back or weak knees can make a huge difference in your life. It can even have an impact on your longevity, in addition to balance, flexibility, mobility, muscle strength, and overall health, and this is where using certain gym equipment like elliptical machines, treadmills, and rowing machines come in handy, with the latter being more suitable for older individuals.
You may lack enough time to attend the gym, but if you click here, you’ll notice machines that can help improve knee health for seniors, promote balance, boost strength, and improve heart health, among other benefits. And you’ll be surprised, some of them are compact enough to fit in the tiniest of living spaces.
But the big question here why should you stay active as you age? Here are some pointers to show just how!
Helps prevent disease
This is inarguably the most crucial benefit of exercising, especially for older people. Aging comes with an increased risk of suffering from certain diseases, including type 2 diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and stroke. You can take a closer look at this on Family Assets.
This is because as we age, our immune systems become weaker and even compromised. However, many studies have demonstrated that regular exercise can help improve your body’s overall immunity. Thus reducing the risk of suffering from such diseases as you age. And you don’t even have to spend hours in the gym for you to stay healthier.
Even the simplest of exercises such as walking a few minutes each day can make a huge difference to your overall health.
Improved core strength and balance
This is basically the biggest reason why many people go to the gym, run, cycle, swim, or walk. They want to improve their overall strength and perhaps their fitness levels while keeping their weight in check.
In older adults, exercise is needed even more, however gentle it is. This is because as one starts approaching their sunset years, their muscles, bones, and joints grow feebler. It becomes difficult to lift loads that you used to lift a few years back or accomplish tasks that you did back then.
Regular exercise can help improve your strength and flexibility, which also helps boost your balance and reduces your risk of falls, which is paramount for seniors.
Improves your mental wellness
Science has also shown that mental ability declines with aging. This is because the older you get, the brain continues to encounter certain brain-damaging substances, thus causing its decline gradually. Research has actually shown brain damage to be more pronounced in elderly individuals.
Surprisingly, (or not), staying active as you age can serve as a constant detox of such substances, thus keeping you mentally fit. Exercising at old age also improves your mental abilities and cognitive function, including thinking, learning, and decision-making.
It’s good for your mood, self-esteem, and sleep
As you age, it is not uncommon to come across many different stressors in life, which can mess up your mood, cause stress, and even depression. But exercise has a way of correcting this since physical activity triggers the release of feel-good chemicals in the body, like endorphins, serotonin, oxytocin, and dopamine.
These chemicals help reduce stress and anxiety. They can also help you sleep better, which is something you’ll need more as you grow older. Additionally, exercising with other people, promotes your social engagement, which further helps alleviate stress and avoid loneliness.
In summary, aging is a natural process that man has never managed to reverse or stop. You can only control its effects by adopting healthier lifestyle habits and taking better care of yourself. Keeping your diet in check and making regular visits to the doctor for health checks, exercising regularly can do your aging body a world of good.
A physically active person is often happier, stronger, more composed, less prone to diseases, and most importantly, they look younger than their non-active selves.
So whatever works best for you, make sure you stay active as you age!