All seniors should be getting as much movement as they can during the day. It’s strongly recommended that seniors get at least 20 minutes of activity most days of the week. Walking is one of the preferred ways for seniors to get activity because it’s easy to do for most people and doesn’t require additional equipment. Even seniors that have health challenges may be able to walk for at least 20 minutes so that they can get the benefits of regular exercise. But seniors and their families may not know that walking has some big benefits that go beyond helping seniors maintain their weight and mobility. Four unexpected benefits of walking daily for seniors are:
Less Stress
A daily walk has been proven to help lower stress levels in seniors. That’s because walking stimulates the production of endorphins, which are hormones that promote a happy feeling of well-being. Just a 20 minute walk each day can help seniors significantly lower their stress levels. Seniors can walk alone or if they have home care they can have a care provider walk with them. Sometimes seniors with home care prefer to not walk alone in case they fall or need assistance while walking. But seniors should try to get in at least a quick 15-20 minute walk each day.
Better Sleep
Physical activity can help seniors who suffer from insomnia fall asleep faster. And regular exercise can also improve the quality of sleep so that seniors can stay asleep longer. Since many seniors struggle to get enough sleep because of the side effects of medication that they take or because of health conditions that have using a daily walk to try and improve the quality of sleep is a smart and healthy thing for seniors to do.
Better Brain Health
Walking can improve brain health. A University of Maryland study found that when participants in the study who were sedentary 70-80 year old seniors started going for a daily walk their cognitive abilities and cognitive agility improved dramatically. The more research is done on the impact of exercise on senior health the more evidence is discovered that basic exercise like walking is the key to seniors staying healthy physically and mentally as they age. Seniors who want to be sure that they are able to stay independent as they get older should exercise every day to make that possible.
Lower Rates Of Anxiety And Depression
Getting outside in nature and walking can both have a big impact on mental health. Combining the two can lower the risk that a senior will develop anxiety or depression by quite a bit. That doesn’t mean seniors need to go for strenuous hikes or difficult walks. Just getting outside and walking around the neighborhood or on easy paved trails in the park can be enough to dramatically improve a senior’s mental health. There are lots of local trails that are senior-friendly so that seniors can walk safely without fear of tripping and falling on rocks or uneven ground.
If you or an aging loved one is considering home care in Modesto, CA, please contact the caring staff at Provident Care Home Care today at (209) 578-1210.
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