Building up strength and staying active is essential for everyone, but especially for seniors. It’s a great way to keep your bones healthy and help improve stability and mobility. In some cases, active exercises can help with joint or arthritis pain. With all these benefits and more, we have five of the best activities for seniors to add to their daily routine:
1. Walking in Place
It’s as easy as it sounds! Take a few minutes throughout each day to walk in place for a bit. It’s a great way to keep active on days when you especially don’t feel like getting off that couch. This way, you can get some quick leg and cardio exercise throughout the day without breaking too much of a sweat.
2. Chair Sits
Chair sits are the more leisurely, sister version of squats. It works precisely in the name; sit and stand up from your chair a few times for some extra exercise during the day! You can do it whenever and wherever there is a chair. This helps strengthen your thighs, lower back, and gluteal muscles.
3. Stretching
Stretching is vital for any day, and it doesn’t only have to be done before exercising! Suppose you’re experiencing pain or an uncomfortable feeling in any spot on your body. In that case, specific stretching exercises can help ease this feeling but check with your doctor beforehand, so you don’t injure yourself.
4. Wall Push-Ups
This version of push-ups is much easier than the traditional kind! All you have to do is stand and face any smooth wall, far enough away that you can stretch your arms out straight in front of you. With both hands placed on the wall, inhale and on your exhale, bend your arms and bring your chest closer to the wall. Try to keep your feet on the floor and your chin up, push back out until your arms are straight again, and repeat. This helps keep your chest, arms, shoulders, and back muscular.
5. Walking In General
Now that it’s getting nicer outside, it’s the perfect time to go on some outdoor walking adventures. Just taking some time out of your day to stay on your feet and get some steps in. Also, this doesn’t have to be done outside! A little walking around indoors does you good too.
Simple Exercises Are Important for Seniors
At The Arbors Assisted Living Communities, we offer various physical activities to keep seniors active to help with strength, stability, and mobility. To learn more about our communities, contact us today to schedule a tour.