The Benefits of Staying Physically Active as You Age

Date : 18-06-21

Retirement is about relaxation and doing all the things you have always wanted to do but never had enough time to enjoy. Yet, older adults who experience joint pain or fatigue may find it difficult to stay physically active. While it can be tempting to lie back and have another restful day, pushing yourself to get up and move can have many benefits physically, mentally, and socially.

Exercising has been proven to boost overall health and wellness at any age. It can lift your mood, reduce pain, and keep your bones and muscles strong. Use the opportunity to stay socially active in retirement. It can be as easy as calling a friend to join you on a walk or taking a trip to the community recreation centre.

Below, we cover just some of the many benefits of staying physically active and provide access to articles for further reading.

Boost Mood and Reduce Pain

When we exercise, our brains are flooded with endorphins which are feel-good chemicals that reduce stress and pain. Exercise also encourages the production of other neurotransmitters such as dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin that are important for regulating and boosting mood.

Staying active even when you don't want to can stimulate these happy chemicals. It also gives you a chance to stretch and move your body to reduce stiffness from being sedentary. Start with a quick walk around the block to see for yourself how much better you’ll feel!

Strengthen the Body

It is essential to keep your muscles and bones strong as you age to reduce the risks of falls and fractures. Regular physical exercise for older adults has been found to strengthen muscles and keep joints, tendons, and ligaments flexible. This is important for reducing the risk of falling. Low weight-bearing exercises can also help slow bone density loss from osteoporosis.

Being and feeling physically strong can also help you maintain your independence for longer. Knowing that you can take care of household chores or run an errand without assistance can make you feel more confident in your ability to do everything you want to do. Play with your grandkids, go for a longer walk, or run errands by maintaining and improving your physical strength.

Stay Social

If getting out to exercise regularly is difficult for you, book a time to meet up with a friend so that you are less likely to cancel plans. Exercising with a loved one can also make the activity more fun while also giving you the benefits of social interaction. 

There are many walking groups in Toronto for older adults that you can join, including the walking club offered through The LIFE Institute at Ryerson University. Join a LIFE Walk to stay active, explore nature, learn about the architecture of buildings in Toronto, and meet other older adults. Should we talking about the Walks when we don’t know when we’ll be able to do them next?

The LIFE Institute at Ryerson University

The LIFE Institute is an easy way to increase your physical activity in the company of other older adults in Toronto. As a member, you’ll also be able to make use of the recreation centre at Ryerson University. As you mingle with like-minded older adults, you can enjoy the benefits of your membership, including access to free lectures and opportunities to get involved in clubs and other events.

Engage in lifelong learning while improving your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. The LIFE Institute welcomes you!