Staying active is crucial to maintaining your health and well-being, and even more critical for seniors to exercise. Some may have concerns about seniors staying active, but the health benefits of seniors exercising far outweigh any risks. Below we will cover why seniors should exercise as well as the benefits seniors get from exercising and staying active.
Why Should Seniors Exercise?
Seniors, both men and women, can benefit from regularly exercising, according to the Center For Disease Control and Prevention. The majority of seniors are inactive, according to a study by the age of 75; one in 3 men and 1 in 2 women engage in no physical activity at all. Inactive seniors see a more significant loss in strength and stamina due to aging paired with inactivity. Exercising and being active have many benefits for your physical and mental health. Seniors can gain significant benefits from moderate exercising such as walking or gardening, and the exercises do not need to be intense to help them benefit. Below we will detail the top benefits of exercising for seniors.
Benefits Of Exercising For Seniors
As stated, there are various benefits of exercising for seniors; the top benefits that will be explained in more detail are:
- Helps Prevent Diseases
- Prevents Risk Of Falls
- Improves Sleep
- Improves Moods and Mental Health
- Social Engagement
Helps Prevent Diseases
Studies have shown that regular exercise for seniors can help prevent the risk of common diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. On top of that, exercising can help provide a protective effect against chronic illnesses such as colon cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and hyperextension. A study shows that exercise can reduce the risk of these diseases plus 13 types of cancer by 10-40%. As well, if you already have a chronic illness, minimal exercise can help reduce the symptoms of your condition and cognitive decline. Also, another study showcases that adults over 60 showed fewer Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers with 30 minutes of exercise per day. Overall minimal exercise is very beneficial for seniors as it can fight off the risks of a lot of chronic diseases that are common in adults over the age of 60.
Prevents Risk Of Falls
The risk of falling is considerable among seniors as in Canada, 20-30% of seniors have one or more falls each year, making it the leading cause of injury. Exercising for seniors helps improve their strength, flexibility, balance, and coordination. This, in turn, helps them reduce the risk of falls which is very beneficial because, as stated, falling is the leading cause of injuries among older adults. Based on a study exercising for seniors can reduce the risk of falls by 24% if they do balance and functional exercises; it can be reduced by 28% by engaging in programs with multiple exercises. Falling is a considerable risk for seniors, so a great way to combat this risk is to participate in moderate activities.
Improves Sleep
Seniors have more trouble sleeping, and studies suggest that exercise can be as beneficial for you as any sleep medication. This is because being active makes you tired, and doing minimal activities such as walking or gardening can increase your sleep drive. Being active helps reduce anxiety and stress, which are the primary reasons people cannot sleep. Hence, exercising reduces seniors’ anxiety and stress, allowing them to get better sleep. For those with chronic insomnia, being active also helps you go to bed 13 minutes faster and will enable you to sleep for 18 minutes longer. According to a study, exercise acts as a hypnotic drug that causes changes to your body temperature, reduces anxiety, and realigns your internal body clock making it easier for you to sleep. Overall, exercise helps improve your sleep, and exercising 2-3 hours before you sleep can have you waking up refreshed the following day.
Improves Mood and Mental Health
Exercising for seniors provides endless benefits for their mental health. Exercising produces endorphins, the feel-good hormone that acts like a stress reliever, leaving you happy and satisfied after an exercise. It can also help ease the anxiety and depression symptoms one feels, increasing your relaxation and sense of well-being. Exercising can also help you gain more confidence in yourself as you hit your health goals. Exercising for seniors also provides a healthier way of coping and dealing with feelings of anxiety and depression. A study conducted in 2019 on men over the age of 65 states that the mood-boosting benefits of exercising will continue well into their old age. Overall, exercising makes you feel good, so it is beneficial for seniors to exercise at least 30 minutes a day.
Social engagement
Exercising in a social setting is an excellent way for seniors to connect with new people. According to a census, one in 4 adults over 65 live alone, and a study showcases that over 40% of seniors experience chronic loneliness. Exercising provides a way to combat his loneliness by exercising in gyms or joining exercise programs to meet new people. Training programs offer a way to keep seniors accountable for exercising and allow them to interact with more people daily. As well, building social connections is a vital component of health in the later years to combat the feeling of depression and anxiety. Strong play provides an incredible program where seniors can exercise and make connections https://strongplay.ca/senior-health-and-nutrition/. Exercising in a public area provides seniors with a great way to stay active and make social connections that will benefit them later.
Conclusion
Exercising for seniors is very beneficial for various reasons; seniors do not have to participate in vigorous exercise to reap the rewards. Moderate daily exercise will help them see the benefits and live healthier and happier lives! Register for our programs today to start seeing these benefits!