10 Best Ways to Stay Active Past 65

Staying healthy becomes harder in the older adult years, but it’s not entirely impossible, and it’s far from a young man’s game. Among the greatest causes of long term health problems and illnesses is a lack of physical activity. Even taking small steps to take care of one’s health can make a great difference in the quality of life.

Walking

An activity most people take for granted, walking starts to become more difficult as muscle and joint health deteriorates over time. However, for older adults who find conventional exercises too strenuous, getting into walking or even light jogging is the perfect way to take the first steps into maintaining one’s physical health.

Stretching

In older adults, lack of mobility often comes as a side effect of age. Among many causes, this is often due to a life of either intense and restless physical activity or in cases a distinct lack of any physical activity. Stretching (especially at the beginning or end of the day) is incredibly effective in relieving tension in muscles while also giving them a subtle wake up call and loosening up stiff joints.

Light Weightlifting

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, muscle health is a very large cog in the machine that is the human body. Doing light dumbbell exercise to keep the muscles stimulated and healthy is an effective yet slightly more strenuous method of staying active. This is recommended for older adults who are already acquainted with physical fitness.

Cardio

Even for the avid and younger health nut, cardio can be more of a chore than a workout. However, as the name suggests, cardio (within reason) is effective in improving cardiovascular health. Stationary biking and treadmill walking are easy and relaxing ways to get into cardio, especially while listening to music and audio books.

Elastic Band Exercises

Often used for physical therapy, elastic band exercises are a very practical way to build mobility and test the muscles a bit. Using elastic bands to get into resistance training is an easy and inexpensive way to improve flexibility, balance. When done properly, resistance training can strengthen and build muscle.

Water Aerobics

Swimming and water aerobics are one of the more preferred ways to stay active among the elderly. Submerging your body in water while exercising greatly reduces the strain that gravity places on your joints, which allows an increase in mobility.

Eating Healthy

On a poor diet, it is almost impossible if not counterproductive to try and attempt regular exercise. Being mindful of your diet’s nutritional value is highly recommended even for those who don’t stay active. Eating foods that are dense in essential vitamins and minerals. Doing this will greatly improve chronic health, lower the risk of heart disease or diabetes, and will give the body the energy needed to exercise.

Gardening

One of the more relaxing activities, gardening has health benefits for more than just tomatoes and roses. For those that find even the mention of exercise intimidating, gardening is rightfully well known for its stress relief. It also involves a surprising amount of physical activity and hand eye coordination, which may be why it is a popular hobby among seniors.

Dancing

Dancing, whether in a class or in the ballroom, is one of the most enjoyable ways to stay active. It helps improve balance, coordination, and movement in a way that goes almost unnoticed by the joy that’s felt. If attending a class, dancing can be a way to create wholesome social connections and a sense of belonging, which is very important as one ages.

Yoga

Synonymous with the new wave of health consciousness, what it can do for the body, especially one that is 60 or older, is still very underestimated. Yoga is praised for what it does for balance, mood, flexibility and cardiovascular health. For the elderly, these benefits are especially important. On the mental health end, doing yoga regularly helps with the management of stress, insomnia and depression.

What’s the Point?

They say when you reach a certain age you simply stop caring. So with that in mind, what makes sweatpants and gym socks a priority at 60+ years old? Well, staying active is less about looking good and more about feeling good. Those who maintain a certain level of fitness at an older age can benefit over time from better mental health, healthier organs, stronger bones and muscles, and overall a higher quality of living. At the cost of only less than 30 minutes of light or moderate daily exercise, it’s more than worth it.