Seniors, like people of all ages, can benefit from regular physical activity. It can boost your mood, strength, and balance and lower your risk of developing chronic diseases. The recommended weekly exercise time for seniors is 2-2.15 hours at a moderate level. This may be more difficult to accomplish in the winter when days are short and temperatures are low. However, there are still plenty of options! If you reside in senior living in Dallas, TX and want to be active throughout the colder months, here are some pointers.
Try Out a Virtual Yoga Session
The elderly of today enjoy greater social interaction than any previous generation. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an increase in the usage of technology, particularly the use of virtual technologies to maintain relationships with loved ones who are far away. The same equipment could be used for a fitness class, so why not? Virtual classes and one-on-one training using Zoom and other virtual technologies are available at many local gyms and at county resource centers for the elderly and disabled. Some health insurance plans may cover the cost of your virtual fitness class in full or in part, so it’s worth checking with your provider.
Watch a Video
You can discover thousands of workout videos online, but it’s not a good idea to just randomly pick one and do it. Start looking for senior-friendly exercise programs that include stretching, strengthening, and low-impact cardio. A few examples are yoga in a chair, chair stretching, and chair strength training.
Move Around Regularly
When one’s body is at rest, it stays at rest. This holds true even more so when the weather outside is poor. Set aside time daily to get active. Working out first thing in the morning, when you have more energy and the day hasn’t gotten too hectic, is a popular choice. To increase your daily activity, try doing ten squats while making breakfast or coffee, putting away the laundry one item at a time to walk more steps, marching in place during advert breaks of your favorite TV show, or simply getting up from your chair and walking a few paces around the house every hour.
Do Something Outside
Although it may be difficult to go out during the winter months, seniors can still benefit from exercising outside by taking the necessary precautions. Stay inside on icy or rainy days if you don’t have to go anyplace else, to avoid the risk of injury from slipping and falling.
Incorporate Variety
Most people are only aware of one form of exercise, like walking, and stick to it religiously. By mixing up your workouts and adopting the five pillars of fitness, you may avoid burnout and maximize your results. Consult your doctor about the best physical activities and exercise routines for you if you have heart problems, diabetes, a history of injuries, vertigo, or any other chronic health condition. Don’t put off working out because of the cold weather. Exercise and movement can still be included in your daily life in a variety of ways that are both healthy and safe.
