Keep Moving Matters

How you move, how often you move, and the way you move all have an impact on your overall health and wellness on why you need to keep moving. Below are the importance of why movement matters and how it can benefit your life, and tips to get moving so that you can start seeing results today.

The importance of movement for older adults above the age of 50.
Movement is important for everyone, regardless of age. However, it is especially important for older adults who are above 50 years. There are many benefits to the movement for older adults. Some of these benefits include:

Improved strength and flexibility.
Flexibility and strength are two important factors that affect our overall movement. Improved flexibility can help us move more easily and with less pain, while improved strength makes us stronger and more resilient.

Therefore, maintaining good flexibility and strength is key to keeping our bodies moving well. Movement matters not just for how we look or feel but also for our overall health and wellbeing. By taking care of our body through regular movement, we can enjoy better physical function now and in the future.

Reduced risk of falls.
Movement matters because it reduces the risk of falls. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that falls are among the leading causes of injury and death among older adults. For example, in 2018,
many Americans aged 50-65 years or older died from fall-related injuries.

In addition to being fatal, falling can also result in serious nonfatal injuries such as hip fractures and head trauma. A common misconception is that falling is inevitable with age; however, this isn’t necessarily true. Falling has many different causes, and many of them can be prevented.

Our muscles tend to weaken as we get older, and this can reduce the strength in our legs and make it more difficult for us to maintain balance. In addition, many different conditions associated with aging
may also lead to falls, such as vision loss or problems with walking or balance.

To help prevent falls and fall-related injuries, it’s important to stay physically active. The CDC recommends that older adults participate in activities such as walking for at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week. By staying active and moving, you can help reduce your risk of falling.

Improved mood and cognitive function.
Improved mood and cognitive function are two of the many reasons why movement matters. When we move, our brains and bodies get the oxygen and blood they need to function at their best. The movement also releases endorphins, which improve our moods.

In addition, it helps us focus and think more clearly. All of these benefits make it easier to stay motivated and productive throughout the day. So, if you’re looking for a way to boost your mood or cognition, start moving.

Consider setting aside a specific amount of time each day for your exercise routine. You’ll feel better about yourself if you accomplish something every day, even if it’s just walking around the block or stretching for five minutes after dinner. It doesn’t have to be something elaborate; just getting up and moving will help your body release endorphins, which improve moods and cognitive function.

Increase muscular endurance.

Movement matters because it increases muscular endurance. Muscular endurance refers to the ability of a muscle to perform repeated contractions over an extended period. It is the amount of work or
exercise that your muscles can endure before they get tired. Muscular endurance increases with increased activity level and sustained physical training such as moving, biking, swimming, etc.

Increased independence and quality of life.
Movement is essential for everyone, regardless of age. It plays a crucial role in our overall health and wellbeing, increasing our independence and quality of life.

Movement helps to keep us healthy both physically and mentally. Regular physical activity has been shown to reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, obesity, and cancer.
It can also help increase energy levels and promote better sleep.

Maintaining an active lifestyle is not only important for our health, but it’s also enjoyable! There are so many activities we can participate in to get moving – from dancing to hiking. The key is finding something that we enjoy and sticking with it. So, get up and move! It’s good for your health, and it’s fun too.

The following are some specific tips for increasing movement.

1. Plan your day around places you want or need to go that involves walking (i.e., walk to work/school if possible).

2. Use stairs instead of elevators/escalators (if you’re able) because using stairs burns twice as many calories per minute as walking on flat ground at the same speed, and it works for all major muscle groups.

3. Park further away from your destination to get in more steps before reaching it.

4. Pace when on phone calls at home or at work – use cordless phones so you can move around.

5. Take breaks often to walk around (if you work at a computer) to get your blood flowing.

6. Dance! It’s a great way to get moving and have fun.

7. Go for a walk after dinner instead of watching TV (or do both!)

In conclusion,
Moving is one of the best things you can do for your health as an older adult. If you’re not currently active, start small by adding in a few extra minutes of activity each day. Gradually increase the intensity and duration over time to help improve your fitness level and reduce your risk of chronic disease. There are so many benefits of movement that we can all take advantage of every day. Just move! It’s good for your health.