Active Aging Week celebrates the positivity of aging today. This week-long campaign challenges society’s view’s of aging by showing that adults over 50 can live fully in all areas of life—physical, social, spiritual, emotional, intellectual, vocational and environmental. The objective of the annual event is to give as many midlife to adults as possible the means to experience wellness activities and exercise in a safe, supportive environment. It also promotes the benefits of healthier, more active lifestyles across the life span.
Active Aging Week reminds us to pause and evaluate our lifestyle. No matter your age or your current physical condition, these tips can show you simple, enjoyable ways to become more active.
1. Fishing: Fishing is fun for people of every age and also for those that have limited mobility. It can help increase dexterity and coordination.
2. Yard games: A great way to enjoy the outdoors this fall is by playing games like bocce ball, croquet or cornhole.
3. Painting: This activity may not seem as active as the others on this list, but the creative expression provides an emotional and mental outlet, helps focuses eyesight, and the repetitive paint strokes can increase dexterity.
4. Bicycling: Bicycling is easy on the knees and a good choice for many seniors who enjoy outdoor exercise. A bicycle ride is a low-impact aerobics sport and is as fun at 60 as it was at 6.
5. Walking: Walking is so good for oneself that it’s the only exercise many partake in.
6. Chair exercises: Who says you need to stand up to exercise? Chair exercises are easy on the joints and have proven to provide many benefits for those seeking lower impact activity that gets the blood flowing.
7. Yoga: Yoga is the perfect low-impact exercise packed with a huge list of benefits – balance, flexibility, joint health, stability, anxiety, blood pressure, and breathing.
8. Weightlifting: Typically when people hear the term weightlifting they associate it with the big muscle, but an appropriate weightlifting routine can provide lots of benefits. Moving weights can help to add bone mass to the hip and spine. It can relieve pains from arthritis, improve range of motion, and strengthen muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
9. Stretching: Improve your endurance, mobility, and flexibility by taking some time to stretch.
10. Swimming: Swimming is low impact, gentle on your joints, and great for your heart. Perform aerobic exercises, swim laps, or attend a group class. Indoor pools mean you can swim year-round.