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 many major benefits to regular exercise for older adults, such as:
- Prevent Bone Loss: Both men and women lose bone density as they age, and strength training has been shown to reduce bone loss and even restore bone density. Having stronger bones reduces the risk of fracture and can aid in balance.
- Relieve Osteoarthritis Pain: Moving more can lessen the pain and stiffness that comes with arthritis by taking pressure off aching joints but strengthening the surrounding muscles. It may also ease joint inflammation.
- Help Prevent Chronic Disease: Regular exercise has been shown to reduce the risk for many illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, colon cancer, diabetes, obesity and hypertension. Exercise can also minimize the symptoms of these illnesses for those who have already been diagnosed. Research has shown that exercise can also reduce cognitive decline, and it may even slow decline for those at risk for Alzheimer’s.
- Boost Immunity: Exercise strengthens your body in many ways. 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.
- Improve Mood: When you exercise, your body releases endorphins. These chemicals 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, such as taking regular walks and incorporating stretching and other exercises into your daily routine. 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. We hope to see you soon!
Alison Robles is a part-time page at the Crestwood Library. She is an avid reader with a passion for YA lit, historical fiction and fantasy. A Yonkers native, she graduated from Iona University in 2020 with a dual-degree in Marketing and Public Relations. She is pursuing a Masters in Information and Library Science from the University at Buffalo.