Health & Wellbeing
◆ Prevents cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and other chronic diseases ◆ Manages arthritis ◆ Reduces anxiety or depression (see page 50 for more information about mental health) ◆ Improves sleep ◆ Increases self-esteem
The importance of staying active Keeping moving and active is really important in your older age, as it has a direct effect on your mobility, health and wellbeing.
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esearch has found that lack of physical activity when we are older plays a big part in the physical decline linked to old age. Regular exercise has also been proven to provide cardiovascular benefits to people over the age of 50 and is a huge contributor to life longevity. If you keep fit and healthy through regular exercise, you will be less likely to develop mobility problems, unsteadiness, trouble getting in and out of a chair, difficulty walking, or having a fall at home. Additionally, health conditions can become bigger problems without exercise, including joint problems, pain, disease and muscle weakness. So it’s worthwhile to keep yourself moving as best as you can, even if you’re becoming less mobile. And while it may be harder to get those skills back that you lost, it’s
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Your Retirement Living – 8th edition
not impossible. It is never too late to get fit, and keeping healthy physically in our old age is instrumental in living longer. Sports and Exercise Physiotherapist, Matt Ransom, says that you have to ‘use it or lose it’ when it comes to moving your body and remaining mobile. “If you don’t remain active you won’t be able to maintain the physical capacity that you currently have which is enabling you to stay in the comfort of your own home. Regular exercise has numerous benefits from physical to mental,” explains Mr Ransom.
Benefits to regular exercise Exercise is really important to everyone for its benefits to the body and how it can enhance your life. Mobility isn’t the only reason you should exercise. It can also help with: ◆ Reducing fractures by improving bone strength ◆ Increase in energy levels ◆ Helps maintain a healthy weight ◆ Regulates blood pressure
If you participate in social sport, you will have the added benefit of social interaction. Exercise can be a great way to socialise and get to know new people. A local sporting club or social group, including lawn bowls, badminton, tennis or a walking group, helps you get in your daily exercise while making a friend or two along the way. Not only that, if you love a sport but it’s too rough to play, you may be able to find a ‘modified’ sport version that keeps you on the field without having to worry about any injuries. Contact your local council or sports club for more information about activities or exercise groups in your community. It is also common for communities to have classes or groups available that focus on fall prevention, maintaining your balance and flexibility, and improving muscle strength. Mr Ransom explains, “There are numerous community falls and balance classes that are created for older Australians to help improve muscle strength, balance and coordination. These classes also have a social benefit.”
What if I don’t exercise regularly? Similar to not keeping active when you are younger, not exercising later in life can have very obvious side effects and lead to poor health.
