Tips for Staying Active as You Age
As you age, staying active is crucial for maintaining physical and mental well-being. Here are some tips to help you stay active as you age:
Start Slowly and Gradually Increase Activity: If you weren’t physically active before, or you haven’t been active in a while, it’s important to start slowly. Even 5 minutes of physical activity has health benefits, and you can build up to more over time. Choose activities that get your heart beating faster, like walking fast, dancing, swimming, or raking leaves
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Combine Strength Training with Regular Exercise: Combining strength training with regular exercise is crucial for maintaining muscle mass as you age. Simple practices, such as warming up and stretching before and after your workout, can help reduce the risk of injuries. Health guidelines recommend that adults get 150-300 minutes of moderate activities or 75-150 minutes of vigorous activities per week. You can break your exercise into smaller chunks of time, such as exercising 30 minutes a day, five days a week
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Functional Exercises for Longevity: Functional exercises are designed to help you perform real-life movements, such as getting up out of a car or safely walking down stairs. These exercises are important for maintaining independence as you age. Whether you’re 25 or 75, these exercises will help set you up for safe, comfortable movement for life
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Stay Consistently Active: It’s never too late to get moving. Regular exercise can reduce pain, relieve stress, improve sleep, improve flexibility and balance, lower the risk for chronic disease and injuries, and increase good cholesterol, among many other benefits. It’s important to start slowly and gradually work up to a level you’re comfortable with
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Short Bursts of Physical Activity: Even as little as 10 to 20 minutes of physical activity a day can have a major impact on heart health and longevity. Finding a friend to commit to a regular exercise date can be a great way to succeed with your exercise goals
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Importance of Diet and Hydration: Eating a well-balanced diet consisting of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and protein, along with proper hydration, is equally as important as exercising for staying mobile as you age
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Seek Professional Advice: If you aren’t already active, it can feel daunting to begin a routine. It’s important to ask your doctor what kinds of exercise will work best given your current activity level and discuss any existing health conditions. It’s also important to listen to your body and stop if you experience any discomfort while exercising
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Incorporating these tips into your lifestyle can help you maintain an active and healthy life as you age.

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