While it is always important to take care of our bodies with diet and exercise, it becomes especially important the older we get. The CDC says that all older adults benefit from regular, moderate exercise. Maybe you’ve never exercised much before, or maybe you don’t even know where to start, but it all begins with getting yourself moving!
National Senior Health and Fitness Day is an annual celebration to encourage older adults to get their bodies moving. It is the nation’s largest older adult health and wellness event, held annually on the last Wednesday in May. This year’s theme is “Make Fitness Your Friend for Life!”
As we age, it becomes more important to physically take care of our bodies. According to the CDC, all older adults benefit from regular, moderate exercise. It’s never too late (or too early) to start exercising regularly, and movements like National Senior Health and Fitness Day want to encourage older adults to get their bodies moving.
National Senior Health & Fitness Day is the nation’s largest older adult health and wellness event held annually on the last Wednesday in May. The theme for 2023 is “Move More to Do More!”
There are major benefits to regular exercise for older adults, such as preventing bone loss, relieving osteoarthritis pain, boosting immunity, improving mood, and helping prevent chronic disease.
Research has shown that exercise can reduce cognitive decline and may even slow decline for those at risk for Alzheimer’s. A study has shown that moderate exercise reduces the occurrence of acute respiratory illness and may also help your immune system work more effectively to fight infections. Exercise also helps your body release endorphins, chemicals that help our brain to feel good, which can help to ease anxiety and depression, increase relaxation, and improve your overall sense of wellbeing.
There are lots of great ways to get your body moving that don’t take much effort at all! You can begin by taking regular walks and incorporating stretching and other exercises into your daily routine.
Westchester County is helping seniors to stay active by hosting National Senior Health and Fitness Day programs. You can learn more about specific programs offered in your area by emailing info@fitnessday.com.
You can also contact the Yonkers NNORC for more information. If you are a NNORC member in need of transportation to Yonkers Senior Health and Fitness Day on Wednesday, May 29th, you can contact Valerie at NNORC at (914) 391-1323 for more information. Availability is limited.
Westchester County Senior Programs and Services is also hosting the 56th Annual Salute to Seniors on Thursday, May 30 at the Westchester County Center from 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM. Enjoy music, educational workshops, a health and wellness fair, and a showcase of senior services and products for the senior community.
Admission and parking for the event are free. The Bee Line Bus is also offering free rides to seniors on May 30 for those 65 and older, excluding Para Transit. For more information, call (914) 813-6300 or visit Westchester County Senior Programs and Services.
At the Yonkers Public Library, we have a great variety of fitness programs both online and in-person for older adults and anyone else who wants to become more active. Check out our Health and Wellness events on our calendar here.
Alison Robles is a Part-Time Junior Clerk at the Crestwood Library. She is an avid reader with a passion for YA lit, historical fiction and fantasy. A Yonkers native, she is currently pursuing an MS in Information and Library Science from the University at Buffalo.