The saying ‘move it or lose it’ comes to mind when we talk about why keeping active in your senior years is important. But how much activity is too much?
The Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora website states that 30 minutes of regular physical activity a day can improve health and wellbeing and make it easier to do daily tasks. Of course, we always need to ensure we have medical clearance from our doctor before engaging in any regime of physical activity, but if you’re feeling a little too sedentary and your GP says it’s ok, maintaining a good level of activity in your senior years will see you reap the benefits.
Staying active as we age can help improve balance and reduce the risks of falls, maintain or improve strength and fitness, improve mood and wellbeing, prevent and improve health conditions, and improve our ability to do the everyday things we want to do.
Staying active can also improve how we sleep. Regular activity helps us fall asleep faster, sleep more deeply and wake feeling more energised and refreshed.
Exercise is also great for our mental health; it improves our self-confidence, and it can improve brain function from multitasking to creativity. It is also said to help prevent memory loss, cognitive decline and dementia.
So, we know why we should stay active, but how about some simple yet creative ways to up the activity levels in our day, without too much effort:
- Instead of popping into the neighbours for a coffee, suggest you both take a lovely stroll and take your coffee with you in takeout cups
- Instead of phoning your neighbours for a catch up, take a walk there instead.
- Make up a circuit around your neighbourhood and create a weekly walking talking group
- When your grandkids come to visit opt for a fun discovery walk rather than leaving them to play on their digital devices in the living room
- If you have a pond nearby with ducks, save your bread crusts and make it a habit to visit them regularly
- Get a step counter and create a little challenge with your friends each week. Winner gets a free coffee!
For our residents at Matua Village, we create an environment that encourages staying active and a range of classes that our residents can choose to partake in. As many or as few as they like.
We have regular fitness classes that focus on strength, joint health and balance. We have indoor table bowls, walking groups, low impact aqua fitness class at the nearby Otumoetai Pool and an Active Seniors Exercise Class at the C3 City Church, to name just a few.
Staying active brings so many benefits, not least a general sense of wellbeing and that’s so important.
