Walking is one of the oldest, most well-known forms of exercise. As we enter the second year of the pandemic, going out for a daily walk can be a refreshing way to boost your physical and mental health, even with stay-at-home orders in place.
Here are three examples of how walking leads to healthy aging:
As people age, the body naturally loses muscle mass and bone density, making getting around more difficult. Walking can help reverse the aging process by increasing joint mobility and muscle tissue.
The Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology Activity Guideline recommends that adults aged 65 years and older should perform at least 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per week in bouts of 10 minutes or more to see health-related improvements.
Walking increases endorphin production in the brain, otherwise known as the “feel-good hormones.” Walk Canada says that walking can improve mood and concentration, boosts mental agility, and fights depression.
For seniors, walking has been shown to reduce the risk or improve cognitive decline in memory, attention and processing speed. Additionally, the Canadian Physiological Association says that people reported that people who walk regularly reported they felt happier, less stressed and had better self-esteem.
According to the McMaster Optimal Aging Portal, walking in groups is more beneficial than walking alone. Walking groups can improve people’s health with chronic health conditions, such as arthritis, dementia, depression and Parkinson’s disease.
Walking groups can also promote physical activity among older adults and have added benefits, including increased motivation and socializing opportunities. With that said, please be mindful of the current Public Health restrictions in place to gather safely.
At Seasons, we understand the importance of keeping our residents active and engaged. Our Signature Program “Kickin’ It Up!” motivates residents to participate in physical fitness programs and classes offered on the monthly activity calendars, regardless of their fitness level.
Seasons has also partnered with a new company called StrongerU Senior Fitness, which empowers our team members to deliver exceptional senior fitness experiences at all of our locations across Ontario and Alberta.
The founder of SeniorU Fitness lead our Seasons Speaks webinar: Spring Into Fitness. The session explores the important health benefits of fitness at every stage and age, along with ways to start or stay active during the pandemic. You can click here view the full recorded version on our YouTube channel.
