It goes without saying that exercising is beneficial for your physical, mental, and overall well-being. But this is especially important for those in their golden years. After all, if you want to reduce your risk of chronic diseases, lower your chance of getting injured, or just feel happier, you need to keep active. The benefits of exercising are limitless. In fact, a recent Swedish study found that exercising was the top contributor to longevity. So then, how do you actually do it? Do not worry, here is a guide to help prepare you to start exercising, and to reap all the good benefits.
Overcoming Challenges
While you may know that exercising is beneficial, you may still struggle to begin exercising. This is a common challenge that many faces. Why is this so? It could be because of many reasons, but it usually comes down to your internal struggles. Essentially, it refers to the mental barriers, or things that you tell yourself to deter yourself from exercising. For example, you may tell others you do not exercise because it is too difficult, or you can no longer be the athlete you once were. Or perhaps you have never exercised before, and simply said you do not know how to start being active. Another common “reason” among matured adults is that there is no reason to exercise since they are getting old already.
All these “reasons” are mental barriers and are completely false. No matter your age or ability, you can still significantly benefit from exercising. While the journey of keeping active may seem difficult initially, you can ease the difficulty by choosing easier activities, or workouts that you prefer. Here is a tip. Get your loved ones or friends involved in your exercise journey for more motivation and joy. As time pass and muscle and confidence build, you will definitely understand why others love to exercise so much.
Start Safe
Starting your exercise journey is one of the best and healthiest decisions you can make as you age, but it is more important for you to do it safely. To begin with, check with professionals, or your doctors for advice regarding your exercise journey. This is especially important if you have any medical conditions. You can also ask them for recommended exercise routines or activities. If they did not specify any restrictions, walking, tai chi, yoga, and water aerobics are great and suitable activities that you can consider.
Beyond the suggestions, it is more important for you to listen to your body. You will know yourself best, so remember to take a break when you feel lousy, or tired. In addition, contact your doctor immediately when you feel dizzy, short of breath, or hurt. However, do not let this scare you from exercising. It may be challenging initially, but it will get progressively easier and more satisfying. Here is a tip. Start slow and build up steadily by spacing out your workouts and starting with simpler exercises. At the same time, to prevent injury and discomfort, remember to warm up, cool down, and drink more water.
