6 Ways for Seniors to Stay Active

This guest post was submitted & written by Elena Watson, a blogger for JustHomeMedical.com and a student at Bard College. She spends her time researching and writing about health care, particularly child and senior wellness.

It’s not uncommon to experience a decrease in mobility as you get older. Sore joints, fragile bones, and a more frequent feeling of fatigue can all make it harder to get up and go. But being active doesn’t have to mean pushing yourself beyond your limits, and even if you’re experiencing some of these symptoms, there are still many ways for you to get out there and exercise without putting yourself at risk.

1. Go for a walk: Walking is a great way to stay active because even though it doesn’t feel like exercise, it still burns calories and strengthens muscles. During the hot summer months, consider taking your walk in the morning or evening when it’s cooler. And always bring along a bottle of water.

2. Stroll indoors: When it’s hot outside or the weather’s bad, you can still get some walking in. Places like museums, art galleries, and even malls are all great ways to stay on your feet while enjoying culture, shopping, and, of course, air conditioning!

3. Garden: Tending a garden is rarely seen as “exercise,” but it’s another activity that keeps you outside and moving, and it burns more calories than you might think. Plus, it’s a great way to add beauty or fresh produce to your home.

4. Take a dip: Swimming is the quintessential summer activity (or year-round, if you have access to an indoor pool. It’s fun, it cools you down, and it’s a great way to maintain mobility and strengthen muscles. Some community pools even offer water aerobics classes, which are less strenuous than traditional aerobics.

5. Get your groove on: Dancing might seem like just a fun activity, but it’s actually a great workout as well. If your community offers dance classes, sign up (and bring a friend!). If not, start a dance group yourself, or just boogie out to some music in your house.

6. Join a club: Many communities and senior centers offer a number of fun and invigorating classes that can help you stay active, and perhaps learn a new skill at the same time. You could sign up for a class or club dedicated to bowling, indoor aerobics classes, golf, baseball, and much more.

For seniors, keeping up mobility is important not only because it allows you to stay independent, but also because it can benefit your health and sometimes even postpone the effects of aging (nothing makes you feel young like a good blast of endorphins!). Thankfully, staying active doesn’t have to mean sweating away in the gym. By engaging in fun community activities like these you can improve your health and enjoy yourself at the same time!