RetirementHomes.com - exercise

The benefits of Yoga for seniors

aadmin — Tue, 22 Oct 2013 07:45:58 +0000

Feeling good is always something marvelous to aim for no matter the age, so working toward this goal should be something you entertain as much as possible. In fact, regular exercise is one of the most important activities that are guaranteed to keep you feeling better about your life as well as your mental and physical wellbeing.

You are quite familiar that an apple a day keeps the doctor away The same can be said about exercising each day, which can keep you alert and the doctor thrilled at how fantastic you look and feel. One of those exercise activities that is probably not on your radar, but should be, is yoga.

You might be thinking that yoga is something you thought about when you were younger, but now being older it is a bit more strenuous.

In reality, yoga is an exercise that is not as strenuous as you might think, and in fact is perfect because you can truly work at your own pace individually or with a group of your fellow yoga partners.

Health Benefits
Have you been feeling not quite as limber as you once were? Well, yoga can not only help keep your muscles and joints much more flexible, but practicing yoga also helps to reduce the amount of anxiety and stress that many have. In effect, yoga is like taking a vitamin pill for your body as well as for your mental health and it does not cost you a single cent!

Low Impact Exercise
Often times when you are considering engaging in exercise again you remember working out on a treadmill, or perhaps on an exercise bike or with weights. Now the thought of such high impact exercises might be challenging and perhaps even more harmful to you if you have not exercised in years.

Yoga is not high impact and it certainly does not involve lifting weights or engaging in strenuous running. Yoga is perfect for older and elderly individuals because it is low-impact. Many of the stretching postures are performed with little or no difficulty.

In addition, if you join a yoga class that is introductory and also targeted to seniors and the elderly everyone will be learning and performing yoga routines at the same pace.

Strengthens Body
As seniors age the body’s muscles weaken and in many cases there is slow erosion of the bone’s density. Many medical experts have supported the use of yoga techniques as a way of helping to lessen bone density loss and even reduce pain. The yoga techniques are moderate and each yoga routine or stretch is performed without placing strain on your bones or muscles.

Do not forget that as you strengthen your body’s muscles and bones you are also improving your mind as well. Practicing yoga daily means your mind is becoming more focused and you in turn will have more energy. Also, be sure to always consult your physician before starting any exercise regimen.

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Health and Wellness

Physical Activity

New study says video games make seniors happier

aadmin — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 16:15:54 +0000

For most of North America, springtime is approaching, and soon after that, the warm weather of summer will arrive. And although many studies have shown the health benefits of exercise for seniors, a new research report has found one of the best ways for seniors to stay happy is by staying indoors and playing video games.

As reported by United Press International, researchers from North Carolina State University in Raleigh, North Carolina, found seniors who played video games, even occasionally, were more likely than their peers to have high levels of emotional satisfaction.

Additionally, seniors who did not report that they play video games were more likely to have higher levels of depression than their peers. The researchers polled people aged 63 and older in their study.

The study, which was published in the journal Computers in Human Behavior, found nearly all seniors played video games sometimes: 61 per cent played occasionally, while 35 per cent played at least once per week.

“The research published here suggested there a link between gaming and better well-being and emotional functioning,” lead researcher Jason Allaire said in a statement, while adding that more detailed surveys will be needed to determine the extent of the impact of video games on seniors.

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Do you know the secret to a successful retirement?

aadmin — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 15:52:47 +0000

Do you know what it takes to have a happy and healthy retirement? If the answers you think of are eating healthy and keeping active, you’re partially correct, but still missing a key ingredient.

As reported by USA Today, the secret to a successful retirement can be found in research from Harvard University, published in 1940, which found that, surprisingly, recent retirees had significantly higher risks of heart attacks than their peers who continued working, and their peers who had been retired for longer periods of time.

The reason, researchers found, was because recent retirees, who had left their jobs and found themselves with significant amounts of free time, didn’t know what to do with themselves. As a result, health problems often ensued.

“When you no longer have a job, you need to find a new mission,” 65 year-old former lawyer Jake Chesson told the newspaper.

The Virginia retiree, who had always been physically active throughout his adult life, decided to continue moving after his career ended, but slowed down and enjoyed exercise at his own pace.

Some of the longest-living residents, including many who live in assisted living communities, share three similarities, the Harvard study found:

1.   They make new friends
2.   They keep their brains active
3.   They find purpose and meaning in everyday life

How do you plan on spending your retirement years? Tell us about it in the comment section below:

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7 Exercises to Keep You Young

aadmin — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 16:14:11 +0000

A recent article from Huffington Post showed long lasting ways to ensure youth and a healthy life - exercise, eating right and avoiding harmful habits like smoking. All of these tips have been shown to help elderly women live five years longer and elderly men live six years longer, according to the British Medical Journal (BMJ) study.

In a follow-up, the BMJ found that women were more likely to lead healthy lifestyles, take part in leisure activities, be educated and have lots of friends.

Exercise was deemed to have the greatest effect on longevity. Swimming, walking or yoga extend the lifespan for seniors in the USA, Canada, and England.

Here are the exercises that health writers at Huffington Post deemed to be best for longevity and overall health.

1. Switch from taking the elevator to taking the stairs.

2. Bike to work

3. Swim. It's the best exercise for lowering mortality rate.

4. Brisk walking is a better exercise than slow walking.

5. Exercise or stretch 15 minutes a day

6. Vigorous exercise is more beneficial than light exercise

7. Exercise with other people to keep you motivated.

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Healthy Living

Meet Charles Eugster, 93 year-old bodybuilder

aadmin — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 15:22:49 +0000

While many studies have shown physical exercise plays a central role in staying healthy in older age, that doesn’t mean staying fit is easy, especially for seniors in their 70s and 80s. With muscle pain and aches, getting exercise can be difficult.

But if you’re looking for inspiration, search no further than 93 year-old Dr. Charles Eugster.

Eugster, a retired dentist from Zurich, Switzerland, began bodybuilding six years ago, at the age of 87, according to a recent report from BBC News. It wasn’t health or energy concerns which prompted Eugster to begin his strict exercise regimen, however: it was the women.

“The idea is to turn the heads of the sexy young 70-year-old girls on the beach,” he was quoted as saying.

Today, Eugster exercises about two hours at a time, three or four times per week. His routine may include rowing, weight lifting, or use of other fitness machines, and when he recently competed at a championship, he accomplished 50 push-ups, 48 stomach crunches, and 61 chin-ups, in only 45 seconds each.

While Dr. Eugster is impressive, are his exercises advisable for other seniors in their 80s and 90s? The BBC quoted Steve Iliffe of University College London, who suggested that seniors interested in rigorous exercise should take things slowly, and one step at a time.

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