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April 2019
What’s more, these years should be spent enjoying life, traveling and playing with grandchildren, but in order to do this we need to be able to stay fit!
No matter what your fitness level, there are always ways to get your body moving.
Now, bear with me. Did you know that a 68kg person can burn 153 calories per hour simply mopping the house? If you’re an avid cleaner, it’s likely that you are exercising every day without even realising it. Working out doesn’t just constitute going to a gym and ‘pumping iron’, household tasks such as vacuuming, gardening or putting the groceries away all get your body moving.
Yoga is a holistic form of exercise that uses physical stretches, breathing and relaxation techniques. There are many benefits to yoga practice including increased flexibility, strength, balance and cardiovascular health. The breathing exercises that are performed not only help enhance your lung capacity but also reduce stress and anxiety. However, remember to be gentle on your body if you’re just starting out, there’s no pressure to fold yourself like a pretzel!
Whether you like to walk alone, with a furry companion or a group of friends, walking is a great way to keep fit. Getting out in nature and breathing in the fresh air is important for cleansing your lungs and strengthening your immune system. I personally love getting out and walking around the village and surrounding suburbs. You can hear the birds chirping and watch the world go by around you, I’d take that over staring at the screen on a treadmill any day.
If you find it difficult to leave the house due to chilly weather or lack of transport, don’t fret! There are so many wonderful workouts you can do from the comfort of your own home. YouTube has a fantastic array of workout videos specifically for seniors that you can follow along with at your own pace. And if you want to take you workout to the next level, light dumbbells and a resistance band are great investments.
Tai Chi is known as the ‘longevity’ exercise and is essentially meditation in motion, combining stretching, breathing and balance for a low impact workout. There are numerous benefits to this calm activity including increased blood circulation, balance and muscle strength. Although these physical benefits are amazing, the biggest health benefit from Tai Chi is emotional. The fear of having a fall is very prevalent in the senior community and this can lead to a lot of stress and anxiety. Tai Chi helps you feel more balanced and stable on your feet, eliminating this fear and improving your sense of wellbeing.
I hope I have sparked some motivation to get on your feet and get the blood pumping! My biggest tip when it comes to exercise is to find something you enjoy – exercise is essential to our physical and mental well-being, but it should never feel like a chore, I encourage you to try different things until you find the activity that ‘clicks’.
Kind regards,
Annie Warner
Village Manager
If you would like to find out more about Evergreen and our thriving community, please get in touch.