Proven mental and physical benefits from a regular exercise routine
Five minutes on any social media feed will churn out workout suggestions, smoothie recipes, and even workout apparel suggestions targeting an audience of 20 to 30 somethings. Aside from the social media target market, it is important to remember that the benefits of exercising don’t stop as you get older.
Some studies suggest that regular exercise could acts as a preventative measure for certain illnesses, and in other cases physical activity increases some illness’ manageability, thus giving you more control over your health.
Evidence suggests that even a little physical activity goes a long way! Here are six benefits you can expect from getting active:
Improve brain power
It’s not just the feel-good endorphins that increase in your brain when you exercise, boosting your mood and helping you handle stress and conditions such as anxiety and depression. Regular exercise can also help reduce dementia and memory loss.
Add years to your life
Getting older doesn’t mean simply existing. There is no reason why you cannot continue to live a full and vibrant life right into advanced age and exercise will help you do that! Apart from building muscle and bone mass, working out regularly will help improve your heart health, make you feel stronger and increase your energy levels.
Keep your balance
Speaking of bones –osteoporosis is one of the leading health concerns in older people, particularly women – and exercise can really help fight it, though the sooner you start the better. For those who suffer from osteoporosis, recommended activities include strength training exercises, flexibility exercises as well as stability and balance exercises.
Sleep soundly
It seems the more mature we get, the more we appreciate good sleep quality. Whether it’s a full night’s rest or a great nap, there’s a good reason for loving your sleep: it plays an important role in healing your heart and blood vessels. Exercise not only helps you fall asleep quicker (goodbye tossing and turning!) but also helps you enjoy better quality sleep.
Stay social
Some alone time is healthy, but we’re not designed to be isolated. The long-term issues associated with loneliness include weakened immunity system, anxiety and depression, and a decline in cognitive function. Some studies have even suggested that loneliness is a bigger threat to your health than obesity. Exercising provides the perfect opportunity to meet and engage with people.
Weight management
Combat a slowing metabolism by staying fit! Regular exercise means building muscle, which means helping maintain a healthy weight while reducing the chance of developing any chronic health issues. Regular exercise can be as simple as a brisk daily walk. You’ll soon begin to feel better, and this can help prepare you to take on a more structured regime of simple exercises!
Also check out our Fit for Life article for some tips on fitness for the 60+ demographic here, along with some great and easy workout suggestions.
Healthy Living is a frequently updated content section brought to you by the Saudi Sports for All Federation. In the spirit of supporting our #HealthyActiveCommunity, we’re sharing tips around wellness, physical activity and more!
