Starting an active lifestyle as a senior can be seem like a very overwhelming task, especially if becoming more active has been recommended by a doctor. or medical practitioner.
However, there are some easy ways to add additional movement into your daily routine, and these little tips and tricks can help to maintain mobility and independence as a senior. Keeping active makes it easier to move around unassisted, and keeps your physical and mental wellbeing in tiptop condition.
There are many alternatives for traditional exercises that can be used when the exercise is too difficult to be done unassisted. For example, using a chair can help to modify many bodyweight exercises into more manageable ones.
There are even classes or online tutorials specifically for alternative exercises—these include a variety of sitting, standing, and chair exercises that have been altered for seniors. You can also attend an in-person class with the safety of an instructor who is experienced in senior exercises.
Another great exercise is going for a short walk. This is a good option for those who have some mobility but need to build up their strength before working on harder exercises.
If you’re the kind of person who just dislikes exercising, then try gardening. This is quite a physical activity, and often requires bending down or squatting, which helps with mobility as well as testing stabilising muscles.
Gardening is also a great choice for an exercise because you can moderate the levels of intensity with weights. For example, attempting to carry heavy soil might not be a good idea initially. Instead, you could ask for help or use a trolley to lighten the load. Alternatively, you can test your strength by using a watering can filled with water, allowing you to find a comfortable level for strength-based exercises.
Another great way to increase movement is to turn hobbies into exercises. For example, if you love swimming, then you already have a great exercise activity going for you. However, if you’d like to increase the difficulty, you can try using a float and swimming lengths using only your arms or legs, or trying to learn a new stroke to increase strength to new muscles.
Finally, getting back to hobbies that you haven’t touched in a while can be a great idea to increase movement in your life. If you used to enjoy shooting hoops at the gymnasium, maybe try asking around and seeing if there is a game of pick-up basketball you could join in on. Just make sure you can do so in a way that is safe for your activity level now.
Daily movement can be demanding, especially for seniors. Some of these barriers include physical health limitations, like an inability to stand or move unassisted. Using our suggestions for alternative exercises might help you overcome these physical barriers.
Another common issue for seniors can be a lack of motivation for exercising routinely. This struggle can be really difficult to overcome alone, and asking for help from those around you like medical advisors or your care team can be a great help for getting started. Going to classes and interacting with others is also a great way of maintaining motivation once you’ve started exercises.
Ranfurly Village is committed to supporting an active lifestyle for all residents, as it has been shown that this helps both physical and mental health in seniors. Community group exercises are one way of helping to support residents, and can help to overcome the challenge of motivation.
Ranfurly Village also has accessible amenities, including a swimming pool, bowling green, and gymnasium. These offer a variety of opportunities for residents to engage, whether on their own or with the help of trained support staff.
Creating small changes in your daily routine can have a big impact on your life. Ranfurly Village has all the resources and amenities, and a host of well-trained staff ready to help you on your journey to a healthier lifestyle. For more information, get in touch today.
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