Everyday physical activities like walking and gardening can feel more difficult when the outside temperatures are low. Even in the colder months, seniors need to make sure they get enough exercise. Here are a few easy ways to get up and get moving when you don’t want to leave the warm comforts of home.
Strength Train
Whether you use resistance training, pilates, or yoga, strength training is a great way to keep your muscles and joints feeling great and working the way that they should. Maintaining a strong core can help prevent falls and broken bones. Strength training will improve your flexibility and your mobility. You never have to leave your living room in order to strength train. All you need is comfortable clothes, a few minutes of free time, and an optional gym mat.
Dance
If you are physically able to, dancing is a great way to get some exercise and have a little fun in the process. Dancing offers the same benefits as exercise with the added bonus of a fun, social atmosphere. Dancing helps to strengthen the spine, improves posture, and provides a great cardiovascular workout as well. One study even found dancing to be the only physical activity associated with a lowered risk of dementia. So throw some music on and move around your house, or try moving to one of many online instructional dance videos just for seniors.
Walk Indoors
A few steps goes a long way. It is recommended that all seniors who are able to move freely on their own try to get somewhere between 2000-9000 steps per day, but you don’t have to get those steps in outside. Take a few breaks an hour to get up off the couch and walk around your house for 5-10 minutes at a time. If you have stairs and it is safe for you to use them, try walking slowly up and down them a few times for some added heart-healthy cardiovascular exercise.
