With ageing, our body tends to slow down. As the retirement age approaches, we tend to think that we are finally about to get the rest that we have been waiting for all these years. Finally, we can see an end to the daily bustle and rat race for the humdrum routine work. Yes, you are correct. You finally deserve some relaxation.
However, make sure that you do not lead yourself to total inactivity. As you age, you should do some daily exercises. Exercising is the medicine to grow into a happy and healthy adult. In this article, we will find out why exercise becomes increasingly important as one ages:
Benefits Of Exercising In Old Age
- Improves Mood: Exercising increases relaxation, and sense of well-being, decreases the chances of depression and reduces anxiety. Regular exercising produces Endorphins, which are the “feel-good” hormone. It generates happiness and satisfaction in oneself, improves sleep and relieves stress. An association has been found between regular exercise, better immunity and fewer sick leaves at work.
Joining fitness classes for working groups creates and improves strong social ties. This is important for older adults as it decreases the feelings of loneliness and depression and instils a sense of purpose in them.
- Exercising reduces the risk of falls among old adults. Every year around 30% of adults above 65 years of age experience at least one fall. Maintaining independence can be a challenge among older adults at a higher risk of falling. On the contrary, there is a low tendency of falls in older adults who exercise, and the injuries caused by them; as it helps build the required strength and flexibility, which helps improve balance and coordination.
- Cardiovascular diseases and strokes are the two leading causes of mortality among older people. Regular physical activity can reduce the chances of causing diseases. Furthermore, Physical activity reduces blood pressure and improves cholesterol levels. It can reduce obesity, metabolic syndrome and the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
- Increased physical activity is linked with a low chance of developing several types of cancers, such as cancer in the stomach, kidney, oesophagus, lungs, breast, bladder or colon area.
- Regular exercise helps to keep your muscles strong. Weak shoulders can lead to shoulder crepitus which reduces the movability of the shoulders and is more painful with increasing age.
How Can You Be More Active?
- Just doing everyday activities, such as climbing stairs, shopping for groceries, and playing with grandchildren, can limit functional limitations or the inability of older adults to do everyday tasks.
- Exercises such as swimming, dancing, jogging, walking or even playing tennis with the grandchildren increase breathing and heart rate. Bodyweight exercises such as push-ups, sit-ups, or weightlifting increase muscular strength.
- Doing yoga or other balance exercises help to prevent falls.
- Simple steps suggest walking the dog, using the stairs instead of the elevator, walking or biking instead of driving, doing light exercises while watching TV or stretching helps to increase muscular flexibility. Seniors’ exercise DVDs are available in the market for adults to watch and exercise.
Conclusion
When one reaches the age of 60 and above, the activities that a person was associated with tend to reduce. Retirement approaches, and their children have become working adults and gotten married. When older people detach from the activities they were associated with for such a long while, it becomes difficult for them to adjust to the new lifestyle. The inactivity makes them prone to sickness, depression and loneliness. Exercising at this age not only helps to keep them active but also helps to improve their mood. It helps them regain a sense of purpose and meaning, which are vital to living a happy and healthy life in old age.