How Does Exercise Improve Whole-Body Wellbeing?

Ways to improve your health & longevity.

Physical activity plays a vital role in overall health and wellbeing at every stage of life, especially as we age. While it’s natural to notice changes in strength, balance or endurance over time, staying active can help maintain independence, mobility and quality of life. The good news is that it’s never too late to start. Even gentle, low-impact activities can make a big difference and help you feel your best each day.

Woman in green shirt stretching her arms out during yoga.

Wellness-based senior living at The Crossings.

According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), older adults can benefit from regular, moderate physical activity, even people with medical conditions, including arthritis, heart disease, obesity and high blood pressure. Plus, being active in our older years positively impacts physical health and mental and emotional well-being.

Here are five of the ways exercise can benefit the overall health of older adults:

Protect Against Chronic Disease: Exercise helps prevent many medical conditions, including cardiovascular disease, colon cancer, diabetes, hypertension and obesity. Even those with ongoing health issues can help reduce their symptoms through physical activity.
Prevent Bone Loss: Post-menopausal women lose up to 2% of their bone density each year, but did you know that both men and women lose bone density as they age, which can cause a greater risk for bone fractures. Strength training has been shown to counteract this loss and restore bone density, improving balance and reducing the risk of fractures.
Reduce Cognitive Decline: Physical activity can help those with early signs of Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. One study showed that participants over the age of 60 exhibited fewer Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers when they performed 30 minutes of exercise daily.
Maintain Function & Prevent Falls: Reduced muscle strength can affect mobility and everyday activities, from carrying groceries to stepping up onto a curb. According to the National Institute on Aging, even minor improvements in muscle strength can lead to meaningful gains in function. Exercises that build lower-body strength are especially important, as they can improve balance and help reduce the risk of falls and related injuries.
Improve Mood: Exercise produces endorphins, which make us feel good, but also can help with symptoms of anxiety and depression and encourage a greater sense of well-being. Studies have shown that older adults can continue to realize the mood-boosting benefits of exercise as they age.

If you’re interested in becoming more active, a community like The Crossings at Eastchase offers the social connection and motivation you need to stay engaged. The wide variety of classes and activities in our community allows residents to have fun, socialize and stay fit while promoting whole-body well-being.