Do you know why flexibility is important as we age? Maintaining your flexibility is a vital part of being able to enjoy your golden years to the fullest. If you want to stay healthy and independent, flexibility is the key.
Why Flexibility Is Important as We Age
As important as physical activity is when you’re younger, it becomes even more critical as you age. After all, getting enough exercise has all kinds of benefits for seniors. It can help you improve your physical health, lower stress levels, and even make a new friend in an exercise class. But what type of physical activity should you be doing? Many health experts agree that flexibility is essential for seniors to focus on when planning their exercise routines. Once you understand why flexibility is important as we age, you’ll also be ready to hit the yoga mat.
Flexibility Makes Falls Less Dangerous
Did you know that one out of three seniors experiences a serious fall every year? Believe it or not, staying flexible is one of the best ways to avoid a severe fall. Building flexibility builds strength in your major muscle groups, improving your balance and coordination. Flexibility can also make your joints stronger, which will help you avoid serious hip injuries when falls occur.
Flexibility Work Will Help With Back Pain
Why do so many seniors struggle with back pain? As we age, our ligaments and tendons lose flexibility, which causes us to sit in positions that compress our spines. Unfortunately, our spinal columns are affected by aging, which means they’re less resilient against posture problems that may not have bothered us at a younger age. A weaker spine that is compressed regularly can result in back pain and other bodily pains you may be experiencing. Focusing on flexibility will help rebuild the function of those ligaments and tendons and strengthen your back to improve your overall posture.
Flexibility Work Can Increase Your Energy Levels
Who couldn’t use a little more energy when tackling their day-to-day tasks? Getting energized can be challenging for seniors, especially those who already lead a more sedentary life. A simple daily stretching routine can help by promoting blood flow to your limbs and improving how your body absorbs nutrients, resulting in more energy overall. You don’t have to run a marathon tomorrow, but flexibility is a smart place to start if you’re trying to get a little more physically active for your health.
Flexibility Work Can Ease Joint Pain
Joint pain is another common senior health complaint that can be difficult to resolve. Therapies and medicines can help, but sometimes movement is the best solution. Working on your flexibility is a great way to restore functionality to joints that have deteriorated with age, making movement more manageable and less painful. If joint pain prevents you from working on your flexibility, you can ease yourself into movement by using a heating pad to warm your joints up before exercise and an ice pack to cool them down. You can also ask your doctor for advice on improving your joint flexibility safely without exacerbating existing issues.
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Improving your flexibility is a smart way to take care of your body in your golden years. You can find great flexibility workouts on the internet or ask your healthcare provider for advice. Happy stretching!
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