What’s the best way to add life to your years?

Taking some time to look after your physical and mental wellness is one of the best gifts anyone can give themselves.

Many people assume that as we get older we should slow down, but nothing can be further from the truth. There are now many studies that show when we take time to improve our strength and balance this can significantly improve our physical and mental functions; it can also help to reverse some diseases and illnesses that might stop older people from retaining their independence.

How will I benefit if I do more exercise?

It will reduce the risk of falling. Currently, if you are over 75, falls are the leading cause of injury.

What sort of exercises should I do?

Strength and balance training are very effective at combatting muscle weakness and poor balance. Without these, the chance of taking a tumble is much greater.

A long-term study (American Medical Journal) published in 2014, in which 3,600 adults took part, showed that people with higher levels of muscle mass lived longer and stayed healthier. And you don’t always have to train with the heaviest weights either. A Canadian study showed that lifting lighter weights until you become tired, also helped to build strength.

If you don’t feel like going to a gym to use weights, then bodyweight exercises are also a good way to go. Exercises like squats are good for the legs and push-ups help to strengthen the arms, shoulders, and chest.

If you can incorporate some aerobic activity into your exercise plan this will help you even more. This might be finding opportunities to do more walking, becoming more vigorous with household chores, dancing, or joining an aerobics class, all will help on your health journey.

The results of a study from 2018 ( Journal article) determined regular exercise, whilst it is important throughout all of our life, turns out to be the most important factor in promoting a “high health-related quality of life in our later years”.

So, if you want to add years to your life, invest in yourself through some physical activity.

If you’re not sure where to start, I specialise in working with older clients to keep them strong, mobile, independent, and upright.

Contact me for more information.