At any age, it’s important to keep all aspects of your health in mind. That means watching your diet and keeping up with routine visits to your dentist near The Villages. However, physical activity is just as vital when managing health for seniors.

Maintaining physical activity helps support bone density and muscle mass, reducing the risk of injury as you age. It also helps you feel young and energetic. However, the question of how to stay active while aging can pose difficulties, but there are a few areas you can focus on to stay active at any age or ability level.

Why Exercise Seems Harder With Age

Many people have heard that becoming less active is simply another part of aging. While there is some truth to this, scientific research shows that there’s less weight to this fact than we once thought. With physical activity, seniors can maintain and even rebuild muscle mass.

Physical constraints aside, there are other factors that can keep you from exercising. Fear of injury or simple complacency can put a mental block on your efforts to stay active; however, you can overcome these challenges as you build your confidence once you get started.

The most important principle of staying active while aging is that the more movement you get today, the easier it will be to move tomorrow. Starting an effective routine now can improve your health and mobility as you get older.

To develop a routine you can stick to and enjoy, try these 5 tips for making exercising an easier endeavor.

1. Choose the right time for your exercise.

Choosing the right time of day is key when making a plan on how to get more exercise. Your body’s natural clock—your circadian rhythm—means that you have different levels of energy at different times.

Exercising during the middle of the day, rather than morning or night, can make physical activity easier for some people. Avoiding exercise right before bed may also help ensure that you still get the quality sleep you need. The important thing is to find what works for you.

2. Find activities you truly enjoy.

Exercise doesn’t have to be strictly regimented. While it’s important to aim to get physical activity every day, you can exercise by doing any number of activities that you truly enjoy.

Spending quality time outdoors with grandchildren, picking up a new hobby, or simply enjoying a brisk stroll are all excellent ways to stay active. Don’t be afraid to try new things either, as you could find enjoyment in something you’ve never done before.

3. Keep your routine practical.

When planning how to get more exercise, one mistake that people of all ages make is overdoing it. While pushing your boundaries is important, so is making sure that you stay healthy and comfortable.

Your physical activity could include low-impact exercise like walking and swimming at your local YMCA. It could involve getting involved with a local community tree-planting group. If you have specific limitations or concerns, talk to your physician about exercises that can help you stay active but are also realistic for you.

4. Think outside the box.

There’s no need for your physical activity to be pigeonholed into the most common types of exercise for seniors. If you’re willing to try something new, there are countless opportunities to think outside the box and experience engaging physical activity.

Communities often offer a range of sporting opportunities for seniors. Pickleball, croquet, curling, and other sports you haven’t tried could be just what you’re looking for. You can also try exercise routines you might not have considered in your youth, such as yoga, tai chi, and other options focused on low impact and flexibility.

5. Build strong habits.

Health for seniors—or people of any age—largely comes down to the habits you perform every day. Building strong habits is important in every area of life, and physical activity is no exception. Taking the time to implement even small habits can have a big impact over time.

It doesn’t take much to start implementing new “habits” into your daily routine. A brief stretching or bodyweight exercise routine can do wonders for mobility when you do it every day. Pick a specific time to carry out your activity and challenge yourself to follow through. Eventually, it’ll become second nature, and you’ll benefit from the habit well into the future.

Making the Right Choices for Your Health

Making a commitment to physical activity is one of the best things you can do for your health and quality of life. Maintaining other aspects of your health is important too, and Laurel Manor Dental is committed to helping you protect your oral health.

Laurel Manor Dental is your dentist near The Villages for all of your general and advanced dental needs. We provide a comprehensive range of personalized, gentle treatment options to give you the best results possible. Book your appointment today to get started.