Staying active is important for seniors' minds and bodies

Doing yoga and other nonstrenuous exercises can help seniors keep fit. Photo: Anna Shvets

Seniors are people over a certain age, but sources vary on what that age is. For the purposes of this article, I’ll define seniors as those over 50. The point of this article is how seniors can keep their minds and bodies active through these years of their lives.

            So let’s talk about staying active as we age.

            Most seniors know that keeping their bodies fit should be a priority as they age, but sometimes the flesh is weak. However, those of us who like to stay fit know that fifteen minutes of activity only three times a week is not a huge commitment to make, nor is it too time-consuming even to those of us who are still in the workforce.

            But activity doesn’t just mean doing exercises; it includes walking, riding your bicycle, stretching, yoga, tai chi, swimming at the Y, or doing activities at your neighborhood senior center. I can do chair volleyball, gentle exercise in the Power Hour, yoga, and Zumba at my local community center. And walking to the mailboxes and trash collection site at my living community is easy and pleasant through the nice weather months. These activities help my balance, mood, and physical strength.

            But I want to keep my mind active and sharp. So besides my work, which is writing, I do strategy, word and guessing games at my community center, as well as reading and doing crossword puzzles at home. Some of these activities combine strategy and effort to challenge me.

            This keeps my mind energized and gives me focus and stimulation for my brain and body every day. I live alone and these efforts keep me independent and make a positive difference in my life.

            Mental stimulation and social activities keep your mind sharp and so keep you young; and physical challenges keep your body toned and healthy.

            Even physical effort just three times weekly and reading at home can promote physical and brain health. You’ll find that these actions will make a big difference in your life.

Jill Hanika Stout is a retired mental healthcare worker and freelance writer who lives in North Carolina. She was born and raised in Indiana.

#ActiveSeniors #Yoga #Zumba #RidingBicycles #CrosswordPuzzles