Today I’m sharing a wonderfully encouraging guest post on the benefits of exercise for older adults, though similar benefits will of course apply at any age. There’s definitely a lot to be said for making the time to move a little more as we get older.
Growing older. The words bring on a flurry of questions and strong emotions. For many, thoughts about ageing bring about nagging fear and worry. “What will I do with my time?” and “Will I be able to do all the things that I love?” are questions that each of us asks as we go through life. The reality of growing older is that it’s going to happen.
Contrary to common societal beliefs about aging, there is profound happiness that can be found in later years beyond what you ever experienced in youth or middle age. What’s the key to finding it? It’s simple – move more. Read five reasons why you should remain active as an older adult, and learn why exercise is your golden ticket to optimal health, vitality and longevity.
1) Exercise Improves Mood
Regular exercise releases feel-good endorphins and brain chemicals that enhance your sense of well-being. Have you ever thought about those fitness enthusiasts and why they seem to spend every waking moment at the gym or working out?
For many avid workout fanatics, it’s less about the physical activity and more about positive mental health benefits such as less anxiety and depression. People that have spent years engaging in a brisk walk or yoga routine will tell you that an improved outlook on life is the single highest payoff related to regular exercise.
2) Exercise Fosters Relationships
Getting off the couch to exercise often means that you’re not alone. Seniors that report little physical activity are usually the loneliest. When you meet up with friends once a week for a tennis match or community walk, you’re not only reaping the physical benefits of improved coordination and dexterity, but also meeting new people and maintaining existing friendships. Seniors need to socialize in order to live fulfilled and happy lives. Exercise is an essential bridge to making connections with people who encourage and support you.
3) Exercise Improves Strength and Mobility
It’s a no-brainer. You know that you lose muscle mass and flexibility with age. However, did you know that exercise improves blood circulation, cardiac and lung function so that you can reverse many of the symptoms of deteriorating health? You don’t have to join an expensive gym or spend hundreds of dollars on the latest gimmick or fitness trend. Think, “tried and true” when aspiring to get stronger.
For decades, health experts have researched the type and amount of exercise needed to get you in shape and keep you there. It goes back to the most basic advice that often gets overshadowed by more complicated, advanced and unattainable fitness fads. You just need thirty minutes of moderate physical activity every day – nothing too hard that leaves you in a pool of sweat on the floor is required.
Stretching is essential, and don’t forget and include simple strength building exercises into your daily routine. Keep exercise consistent and simple and you will be on your way to a stronger, more agile body.
4) Exercise Improves Healing
The body’s ability to heal skin wounds and recover from trauma slows down with age. There are differences between how a thirty and seventy-year-old recover from a skin injury. If both are relatively healthy, they both will experience the same quality of healing. However, older adults experience a delay in rebuilding new tissue while the younger person’s immune system kicks out a sort of automatic healing jump-start.
What does exercise have to do with the healing process for seniors? It’s their healing jumpstart! When older adults are active, an exercise-induced anti-inflammatory response occurs. The immune system will send a message to other parts of your body that says, “Healing needs to occur now!” Blood circulation will improve and enhanced platelet aggregation will result in the body’s ability to heal faster.
5) Exercise Improves Cognitive Health
Those laps in the pool and tango lessons do more than just improve your flexibility and reduce your waistline. Have you heard that physical activity in midlife and later years can protect you from dementia in old age? Studies in the U.S. and other countries are revealing that seniors who exercise regularly are less prone to the development of Alzheimer’s or other cognitive diseases.
Additionally, a substance called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is released when your heart rate is elevated due to physical activity. Scientists refer to BDNF as the “exercise hormone”, Irisin, and numerous studies link it to improved overall health and cognitive function. Want to experience improved memory, to focus better and communicate your ideas and thoughts more clearly? Just get movin’!
Now that you know how important exercise is during later years, you can begin to make exercise a part of your daily life. Have fun with it, explore a sport or activity that you’ve always been curious about, and take a friend. Over time, your body will become stronger and more resilient, and your mind will become sharper and less prone to cognitive impairments.
A note on senior living communities – Allowing older adults to preserve their dignity, and providing compassionate service is a top priority of senior living communities. Their mission is to provide high-quality and fully-equipped apartments at a reasonable price. Never pushy – always available; dedicated nurses, housekeepers, chefs and personal care assistants are the reason senior living continues to grow.
[ Author Bio ]
Ryan Jackson is the SEM/SEO Manager for Landmark Recovery. Ryan brings expertise in mind altering diseases, substance abuse, and digital marketing. He graduated from Arizona State University where he found his passion for saving lives, helping people, and his love for marketing. Ryan also enjoys playing golf, reading blogs, and anything that has to do with marketing. You can find the Landmark Recovery blogs here.
24 comments
Why add for “the older adult”. Those benefits are for everyone, not just older adults.
I did mention in my intro that they apply to all, but Ryan wrote this with older adults in mind and I think it serves as a good reminder that a little gentle exercise in older age is still important 🙂
I couldn’t agree more with all of it! I exercise daily more for my mental health and mood than the old body! And, love that frog at the top of the post!! 🙂
I thought those frogs were pretty cool too! Good to hear that you find exercise to have a positive impact on your mental health and mood, I think that’s certainly a good motivation to do a little movement every day 🙂 Thanks for the comment xx
Sounds, actually, like they are great benefits for all – not just older adults.
I regularly exercise and its crazy how much it changes your mental health compared to when you don’t exercise, it has such an impact!
I think the benefits of exercise on mental health can be underrated, and I don’t think you need to go ‘all out’ in terms of what you do to achieve the benefits either (ie. a small walk can work wonders!) Glad to hear you regularly exercise and find it helpful! xx
yeah couldn’t agree more 🙂 xx
Great points and I agree with them all. Sometimes I find it hard to motivate myself to exercise but I can always feel the benefits when I do. xxx
Motivating yourself to do it can be tough, especially when not feeling well and dealing with exhaustion. I think that little tiny steps, small changes, a little something here and there can all add up and make you feel a little better in yourself. Thanks for the comment 🙂 xx
Excellent CAZ! This holds true for persons with chronic illneses too. I struggle to excercise but the benefits you listed affect me too! (Of course I am 50 so I would fit your profile!) Great post~Kim
I think it applies to anyone and everyone really in terms of age, and a little gentle exercise can be a great benefit when you have a chronic illness (even though the illnesses themselves may make it rather challenging). Glad you liked the article 🙂 xx
I agree that its very important to maintain physical activity. I walk a lot cause I dont drive but could do with adding something else in. Think you are so right that the biggest benefit is mental
I think walking is definitely underrated. If you wanted to add a little something else, do you have any ideas what you’d like to try? Swimming, yoga, at home dancing (cheesy music and movement = great exercise!) ..? 🙂
Great tips, when I started working out I was surprised with how it improved my mood. I had heard people say exercise releases the feel good hormones, but I didn’t actually believe it.
Exercise helps in so many ways.
Well I’m glad to hear the whole “exercise boosts mood” turned out to be true for you, that’s really good to hear! 🙂
Thanks for sharing!
You have some great tips 🙂
I’m happy to share this guest post, it’s a great reminder – thanks for the comment 🙂
Don’t mention it anyway.❤
Improves mood. Yes. I’ve been grouchy and tense lately. That’s one of my NY Resolutions. 🙂
Likewise! I hope things feel a bit brighter over Christmas for you, and setting a resolution to move a little more to ease up the grouchiness and tension sounds like a great idea! Thanks for stopping by to comment 🙂
x
Welcome. I found it very useful.
I agree wholeheartedly. Interested to read about the healing benefits. A few years ago, my wife had a hysterectomy and I persuaded her to accompany me for a walk every day from the first day after her discharge from hospital. Day one was a few minutes’ walk of literally 50 yards but we built it up little by little each day. I’m convinced that it helped her metabolism to kick-start, and to help with the healing process, even if just as basic as stimulating the circulation.
I do hope she’s been well since. I did a similar thing after my ops, just trying to build up a small walk, baby steps, day by day; it’s really positive to hear it helped with her recovery too. Thank you for taking the time to comment 🙂