Let’s be honest.
We all want to age like fine wine. Do you know a person in their fifties, sixties, or even seventies who look great and move around as if they were 35-40? You just can’t help but be impressed.
One of the best things we can do to remain youthful and functional as we age is to continue moving, which is what we’re discussing today.
Read on to learn why mobility matters and how you can stay active, even with a busy lifestyle.
Why Mobility Matters
Everyone thinks they’re invincible in their younger years. Disease and disability? Me? Come on, I’m young, and nothing is stopping me! However, while it’s good to be optimistic, life will always catch up and make us pay for poor lifestyle choices, especially for a lack of physical activity.
Being active is incredibly valuable, especially beyond a certain age, for many reasons:
Independence. Carrying groceries, lifting heavy objects off the floor, moving furniture, gardening, working on your car, and climbing flights of stairs can be almost effortless when we’re young, but that ceases to be the case as we age.
Staying active enables you to remain independent and tackle life’s challenges without burdening others.
Muscle mass. Sarcopenia – age-related muscle and strength loss – is a real condition with devastating consequences. It leads to frailty, loss of metabolic function, fat gain, and physical weakness. Regular physical activity slows down sarcopenia and could even reverse it.
Social life. Many people have the idea that old age is a time for isolation, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Loss of mobility adversely affects movement and makes people less likely to go out and seek contact. Staying active makes it easier to go out, meet friends, engage in social activities, and find joy.
Mental health. Seeing your physical health deteriorate and isolating yourself from others can have a significant negative impact on your health and wellbeing. Research shows that social isolation increases the risk of depression and anxiety. Plus, a sedentary lifestyle is also be linked to mental health issues. Staying active is an excellent way to decrease depressive thoughts, feel better, and lead a more fulfilling life well into your sixties, seventies, and beyond.
4 Ways to Stay Active As You Get Older
1. Keep it Simple
Movement doesn’t have to be fancy or flashy to be effective. It just needs to be challenging and consistent.
So, instead of looking for a revolutionary way to exercise, consider simple things and approach each day with the mindset of, “Okay, how can I sneak some physical activity into my day?”
Aside from having a workout, be it cardio, weight training, or something else, think of ways to be more active:
Take the stairs
Park your car farther away and walk
Take the bike instead of your car
Carry your groceries to your car instead of using a shopping cart
2. Do What You Like
On the note of keeping things simple, opt for activities you genuinely enjoy because that helps to build long-term habits. Don’t be afraid to experiment and try something new to understand what you like and dislike.
For example, you could work with a personal trainer at your local gym, but you don’t have to stick with that exercise style if you don’t enjoy it. The same goes for sports, cardiovascular exercise, dance lessons, and other activities.
3. Break Up Sedentary Time
Even if you follow a structured exercise routine, prolonged sitting can hurt your mobility and overall health. Break up sedentary periods with stretching, walks, and light exercise.
For example, you can set a phone reminder to go off every 30-60 minutes. When it does, get up, walk around, stretch, drink some water, and then resume what you were doing.
4. Ask a Professional For Help
It’s normal to feel overwhelmed with choices, which is why you can ask a professional to help you get started with an exercise routine. A certified personal trainer or a physical therapist can offer personalized guidance and tailor an exercise program to your abilities, needs, and preferences.
Final Words
Mobility is the foundation of a long, rich, and fulfilling life. Without our mobility, we can grow stagnant and be unable to carry out even simple, everyday activities.
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