Staying active is one of the best things seniors can do for their health and well-being. Not only does regular physical activity help you feel ready to take on the day, but it can also help your mood. The benefits of an active lifestyle for seniors are numerous – but all total to helping you stay happy and healthy.

1. Strength and Balance

A regular exercise routine incorporating strength training will help promote bone, muscle, and balance. This can help with fall prevention and help you stay independent and mobile.

But this doesn’t mean you must spend three hours in the gym each morning alone. A group fitness class can motivate you because you’re working out with friends. You could also try working with a personal trainer to help you identify and achieve your fitness goals.

2. Boosts Energy

Engaging in regular exercise keeps your activity levels high and will help your overall fitness level. You’ll have more energy for anything planned that day – whether it’s playing pool, going to a club meeting, or going for a walk.

3. Improve Immune System

Exercising works wonders for improving the immune system. When you work out, your immune system gets the following benefits:

• Slows the body’s release of stress hormones. Being stressed can increase your chances of developing an illness.
• Antibodies, or white blood cells, move through the body more quickly, leading to faster detection of illnesses.
• Flushes bacteria out of your lungs, which can prevent infections.

4. Promotes Fat Loss

When you’re moving your body regularly, it can help burn stored fat and lead to weight loss. This can ease the stress on your joints and make moving easier. If you make the change from a sedentary lifestyle to a more active one, you may see your body weight start to change, as well as other benefits like no longer feeling dizziness or shortness of breath after walking a short distance.

5. Boosts Heart Health

Physical activity helps prevent high blood pressure and reduces the risk of health problems like heart disease, diabetes, and stroke.

If you already have a heart condition, it’s important to know what kinds of exercises are safe to do. While maintaining physical activity may not be able to cure a heart issue, it can still benefit the heart and your overall well-being.

6. Better Sleep

Many older adults may have trouble sleeping. If you engage in physical activity on a regular basis, you’ll likely have an easier time getting sleepy at the end of the day and staying asleep through your sleep cycle. This will make you feel well-rested and ready for the morning.

7. Improves Brain Health

Physical activity provides multiple health benefits because it helps your brain and all of its functions, including thinking, problem-solving, and memory improvement.

8. Boosts Mental Health

Activity goes beyond physical benefits. Your mental health will reap the benefits of regular exercise, too. Exercise can lead to feelings of happiness, less stress, and improve your confidence.

Working out also prevents depression and anxiety or can help someone manage the symptoms of these mental illnesses.

9. Promotes Socialization

One of the best things about physical activity is that you can work out with a friend or with several friends. You can make the activity a fun, social time. For example, you go on a walk with your best friends every other morning.

While you’re racking up your step count, you’re discussing your favorite books and shows, or making plans for a fun weekend. You don’t even realize that you’re getting so much physical activity because you’re enjoying the time with friends. You’ll also look forward to these walks, and it’s more likely to become part of your routine.

Stay Active and Healthy at The Village

At The Village, residents have all kinds of exciting opportunities to stay active, social, and make each day their best one yet. Contact us to learn more about the active and engaging lifestyle at our beautiful senior living community.