Health & Wellness
Move Well & Age Gracefully
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xercise keeps us physically fit so that we can go about our daily life with more ease. Its effects go way beyond the surface; they extend to other areas of the body as well.
Exercise helps to: • Build a stronger immune system. Aerobic/endurance exercises such as brisk walking and dancing improve the health of your heart, lungs, and circulatory system, helping your body to overcome infections and viruses more easily plus lessen recovery time from illness and injury. • Create stronger bones for better balance. Strength training exercises like lifting weights and using resistance bands can increase muscle strength to help combat the loss of 12 Grand
bone density. Balance training helps to activate deep stabilizing muscles so that they become more resilient to stress and are able to absorb weight and impact better. • Reduce the risk of degenerative diseases such as dementia, Alzheimers and Parkinson’s. Exercise keeps the mind’s cognitive functions active and strengthens motor skills. The idea of working out can feel overwhelming, but don’t sweat—yet!— every little bit helps: • Physical activity can be social time. Get your family or friends to be active with you and when available look for group activities or classes in your community. • Start slowly and listen to your body. Don’t push yourself to the point of pain or unnecessary strain. Learn to work with your body and find an activity you like. • Minutes count. Plan to increase your level of activity 10 minutes at a time: walk wherever and whenever you can, carry your groceries home or take the stairs instead of the elevator Practice mindful movement when you exercise to improve your potential for moving well as you age. Consider The Squat, a simple exercise that most of us know and in fact practice every day when we move from sit to stand or stand to sit. A squat builds strength in the hips and legs, which propel us through our day and also work to get us up and down off the toilet. You can incorporate mindful movement principles by: 1. Using proper technique. Sounds grandmag.ca
