We know that being active is key to helping our bodies stay healthy as we age. According to the CDC, a single session of moderate to vigorous physical activity immediately benefits the physical and mental health of adults 65 and over. In addition, regular physical activity helps prevent many chronic diseases. The CDC recommends that seniors engage in a combination of aerobic exercises (such as walking or swimming), strength training, flexibility exercises (like yoga or stretching), and balance exercises to maintain overall fitness and mobility.
- Sleep: Quality sleep is essential for overall health and well-being, yet many seniors struggle with sleeping. Fortunately, regular exercise can help improve sleep quality in older adults. Exercise helps regulate the body’s circadian rhythm, or internal clock, promoting a more consistent sleep-wake cycle. It also reduces stress and anxiety, which are common contributors to sleep problems.
- Chronic Health Conditions: Exercise lowers the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, arthritis, osteoporosis and diabetes, which can impact seniors’ quality of life. Regular exercise can help manage these chronic conditions.
- Cancer Prevention: Exercise lowers the risk of eight cancers, including bladder, breast, colon, endometrium, esophagus, kidney, lung and stomach cancer.
- Independent Living: Regular exercise helps seniors maintain their ability to perform daily activities independently and enhances their overall quality of life.
- Bone Strength: Aging is often accompanied by a natural decline in muscle mass and bone density, which can lead to an increased risk of falls and fractures. Seniors can build strength and endurance, making it easier to perform everyday activities and reduce their vulnerability to falls and fractures.
- Manage Weight: Maintaining a healthy weight is crucial for overall health and well-being, especially as we age and metabolism naturally slows down.
- Boost Mood: Regular exercise is not just beneficial for the body; it also has profound effects on mental health and emotional well-being. Regular exercise can help alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression in seniors, providing a natural and holistic approach to mental health management.
- Improves Balance & Coordination: Exercise can help reduce the risks of falls. By incorporating regular stretching exercises into their routine, seniors can enhance their ability to perform daily tasks with ease, reduce the risk of injury, and maintain independence and mobility as they age.
- Immune Function: As we age, the immune system naturally weakens, making seniors more susceptible to illness and infection. By participating in regular physical activity, seniors can bolster their immune systems and reduce their risk of illness and infection.
- Enhance Cognitive Function: The benefits of exercise extend beyond the body to the brain. Numerous studies have shown that physical activity is closely linked to improved cognitive function and a reduced risk of cognitive decline in older adults. Regular exercise has been associated with a lower risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, as well as improvements in cognitive skills such as attention, processing speed and executive function.
Helping You Prioritize Your Health
We know regular exercise helps prevent and manage chronic diseases, reduces the risk of falls and injuries, improves cognitive function, enhances mood and mental well-being, and strengthens the immune system, all of which contribute to a longer and more fulfilling life. At Highpoint at Cape Coral, we focus on fitness at our active retirement community. By making physical activity a priority and incorporating it into residents’ daily routines, we can increase their chances of living a longer and more fulfilling life.