As you grow older, no matter your current age, exercise should always be a top priority in your daily life. The benefits of exercising a few times per week far outweigh the one hour per day that you devote to it.

Strength
Once you reach a certain stage in your life, your muscles will lose strength with each passing year. Exercising will help maintain, and even improve, your muscle strength. Weightlifting and resistance training will help with daily activities such as getting out of bed, picking up grandchildren, and tidying up your room.

Calisthenics
Some people are more prone to falls and spills than others. Improving your balance can be as simple as doing leg or knee raises. To be safe, always have a railing to grab onto to prevent falling during these exercises. Flexibility is also important so stretching is very necessary. Doing this will help activate multiple muscles, not only improving your flexibility, but your strength as well.

Disease
Exercising just a few times per week can drastically improve your health and lower your chances of developing certain life threatening diseases. Hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and osteoporosis are all diseases that you can avoid with a little help from a good exercise program.

Brain Health
How many times have you heard “when you look good, you feel good?” Getting rid of those few extra pounds that you’ve always wanted to lose can boost your confidence and lower chances of depression. The social aspect of exercising can also give you a sense of belonging and improve your ability to handle stress.

Exercising should be done by all age groups, especially the elder generations looking to stay healthy. Luckily, The Arbors offers many opportunities for exercise and physical therapy within the community. If you’re interested in learning more, or visiting The Arbors Assisted Living community, schedule a tour by contacting one of our five convenient locations:

Bohemia
Hauppauge
Islandia East
Islandia West
Westbury