A couple weeks ago, we had a great experience attending our Rutherford County Council on Aging's Fall Forum on "Active Retirement" hosted at the St. Clair Senior Center.
We had the pleasure of hearing several people from our community speak on the topic of staying active as we age. Some speakers spoke on the importance of staying active & the healthy benefits it has on our physical health, while others focused on the cognitive & mental health advantages.
A variety of ways to stay physical in our community were offered such as...
-Taking guided walks led by our local Parks & Recreation staff members on the Greenway
-Heading over to SportsCom or Patterson Park for some exercise
-Chair Exercises
I know what you're thinking, chair exercises? Well, I was skeptical about how great of a workout chair exercises could be too, until we actually all did some together. Let me tell you, my heart rate was definitely up. If I would have done one more leg lift, I think I would've broken a sweat. Chair exercises are a great way for someone with less mobility to stay active. Using light weights to practice curls is a great way to maintain upper body muscles and doing range of motion exercises is great for joints to stay loose! For more information on some types of chair exercises that you or a loved one can try, please email me at contact@honeyhillhc.com.
Now, we also talked about staying active mentally. Our brains are marvelous and complex, so we need to make sure we are taking good care of them and utilizing them to the best of their ability. Some ways to stimulate your brain are by playing memory games, learning new recipes, or having a meaningful conversation with someone.
Watching what we eat and put into our bodies, drinking plenty of water, and getting enough sleep are important in the process of taking care of our brains. Your mental health should be a top priority. Do your best to quit smoking, lessen the amount of sugar in your diet, and think positively!
Staying active both physically and mentally is a key component in your health and the quality of your life. If you are looking for more information on what you can do to stay active, different exercises, or how to better your mental & cognitive health... then please do not hesitate to call or email us. Contact information below.
Becca Cutter
Certified Senior Care Manager
contact@honeyhillhc.com
(615) 546-0682