Young at Heart: How to Stay Active as You Get Older

On the inside, you feel like you’re still as spry as ever, but on the outside, you may be showing signs of your age. Getting older usually comes with more aches and pains than before, but that doesn’t mean you have to slow down a lot. In fact, many studies have found that seniors who exercise have better immune health, digestion, blood pressure, and bone density. They also have a reduced risk of heart disease, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, and certain cancers.

If you’re a senior, you may not be as agile or strong as you used to be, but it’s important to stay active. How can you do it safely and effectively? Read on to find out.

Get an Exercise Buddy

You don’t have to stay active alone—it’s much more fun to have a friend with you. You can enjoy good conversation while you exercise, which can help you look forward to this time instead of dread it. It also can help you stay on track with your fitness goals because someone can hold you accountable. Not only can having an exercise buddy keep you motivated and consistent, but it can also give you and your loved ones peace of mind. Just in case one of you becomes injured, there’s someone to help or get help.

Choose Low-Impact Exercises

No one said you have to run a marathon or even run at all. High-impact activities like running or jumping can be extremely painful on aging adult joints. The good news is that there are plenty of gentler activities you can do that will cause much less discomfort. For instance, you could go on walks, ride a bike, or swim in a pool or do water aerobics.

Stretch

Unfortunately, as you age, your risk of injury increases dramatically. Before you exercise and ideally before you start your normal day, you need to take a few minutes to stretch your muscles. Keeping them as loose and limber as possible, you can avoid injuring yourself.

Get Professional Help

An active lifestyle include visiting your doctor, who can help with many conditions or issues, but many forget about other important members of your team of health experts. By turning to a team dedicate to your wellness, you can get advice and instruction for stretches to implement at home and receive care to help you stay in your best condition and avoid pain.

Ultimately, you need to make the decision and take the necessary steps to stay active. It can help you have not only a longer life but also a more fulfilling, higher quality of life. Don’t let your age keep you from living to the fullest!

About the Practice

Richardson Pain & Wellness is a clinic that specializes in helping patients feel their best. From medical weight loss to chronic pain relief to hormone replacement therapy and anti-aging treatments, this team provides services that can turn back the clock and having you feeling like you did decades ago. If you would like to learn more about these services or schedule an appointment, you can contact Richardson Pain & Wellness through their website.