VISITING ANGELS SOUTHLAKE, TX 817-684-1996
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Spring into Better Health: Four Ways for Seniors to Become More Active

Grandfather playing soccer with grandsonThere’s something about the spring season that motivates us all to move. The longer hours of daylight and warmer climate beckon us outdoors in order to shed some of that winter weight we may have put on during the winter season. Seniors are especially susceptible to unwanted weight gain during the winter months simply due to limited opportunities to move. Some seniors prefer to stay indoors and avoid exacerbating chronic health conditions in the cooler weather. Other seniors may hibernate in their home in order to stay healthy during cold and flu season. Still others may be feeling the onset of seasonal affective disorder while the days are shorter and lose motivation to move.

Despite the overwhelming evidence that living an active lifestyle is vital to a healthy life, many seniors remain inactive. Living a sedentary lifestyle can result in a variety of chronic health conditions or even premature death. If you are a senior who struggles to stay active, know that you are not alone. Here are four ways to become more active, especially after a season of idleness.

Set Small, Specific Goals

Many seniors struggle to move because they set unrealistic goals. They may envision going for long walks around their neighborhood, set out to do so. They then quit prematurely because they haven’t built the endurance for such a long endeavor. Instead of giving up so quickly, set small, specific goals for yourself. Include how often and for how long. For example, if your goal is to become more active, and you want achieve this by walking more, your goal would look as follows: I will walk for ten minutes a day around the block, three times a week, for one month. After a month, evaluate your progress and adjust your goal as needed.

Join a Senior Fitness Class

Another way to become more active is to join a group fitness class. Group fitness classes are fun and will keep you motivated to come back each week. There’s also an accountability aspect to joining a group fitness class, so if you struggle to keep goals, this may help you achieve them. Look for senior fitness classes at a local gym, senior community center, parks and recreation program, or even the library. Select a class that excites you, such as water aerobics or tai chi. If you cannot go to the class, consider checking out a senior fitness video from your library. Many instructional DVDs include other participants, so you’ll still feel a part of the group even when you’re following along alone at home.

Try an Active Hobby

Motivate yourself to move more by trying a new hobby that’s geared to more action. Active hobbies will keep you moving, while allowing you to have fun. Some active hobbies to consider include fishing, walking, hiking, tennis, golf, dancing, bowling, or swimming. Even if you are limited in mobility, there are a variety of ways to adapt these hobbies so that you can still participate. Use adaptive equipment for easier grip or shorten the duration of the activity as you work to build endurance. Even better, grab a friend to join you or compete with you.

Enlist the Grandkids

Finally, invite the grandkids over in order to become more active. Ask them to geocache with you. Geocaching is essentially looking for treasures hidden nearby. You may even have a few hidden around you right now. Your grandkids can teach you how to download a geocaching app, then you can explore your neighborhood for caches. If you’re fortunate to be near your grandkids, surprise them by attending their sports games or extracurricular activities. Take them to a museum. Teach them how to cook your favorite family recipes. Offer to babysit them so their parents can have a break. The best thing about grandkids is that they are active. Their younger bodies and minds crave movement, so you too will be motivated to move when they visit.

If you are looking for more ways to become more active in your senior years, look no further than Visiting Angels Southlake. Our compassionate caregivers are ready and available to help you live an active lifestyle. We can escort you on a walk around your neighborhood, help you participate in an active hobby, or even transport you to and from a senior fitness class. Many of our clients report feeling more connected and engaged with their life after receiving assistance provided by our caregivers. Getting started with our senior home care services is as simple as contacting us by calling 817-684-1996.

Serving Southlake and the Surrounding Areas

Visiting Angels SOUTHLAKE, TX
630 E Southlake Blvd #135
Southlake, TX 76092
Phone: 817-684-1996
Fax: 817-224-2868

Serving Southlake and the Surrounding Areas

Visiting Angels SOUTHLAKE, TX
630 E Southlake Blvd #135
Southlake, TX 76092
Phone: 817-684-1996
Fax: 817-224-2868