New Year, New Lifestyle. Exercise is Key

Exercise is a vital part of well-being and a key to living a long and healthy life. It’s an essential part of maintaining our overall health, helping us to have higher energy and a healthy bone mass and body weight; it can even help manage chronic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure. Regular exercise can also lower the risk of muscles and bones becoming weaker and more prone to injury as we age. In fact, the American College of Sports Medicine and American Heart Association recommends exercise most days of the week, even for seniors.
Here are a few ways to get you started!
• Walking: Walking is one of the best forms of exercise you can do. The benefits of walking have been long proven to be extremely effective at supporting your bones and joints, lowering the risk of Alzheimer’s and heart disease, and improving overall health.
• Yoga: This 5,000-year-old system of exercise is widely known for reducing stress and improving overall health while being a gentle, moderate form of exercise that can also be done in a chair.  For those looking to improve overall strength and flexibility while reducing stress, this is an ideal choice of physical activity.  The benefits of yoga are many, but most notice a better mood, greater flexibility, a leaner and more toned body, improved balance, and an overall increase in strength with regular practice.
• Tai chi: Tai chi is a very common, popular form of exercise among seniors all over the world. Similar in intensity to yoga, tai chi involves a series of sequenced movements performed in a slow, focused manner accompanied by deep breathing. Those that practice tai chi generally notice decreased stress, anxiety and depression, improved mood, improved aerobic capacity, better balance, and increased energy and stamina.
By maintaining an active lifestyle, you can help yourself live a long, independent, and healthy life. No matter what form of exercise you choose, getting up and staying active is a positive addition to your lifestyle.  Please note that whenever embarking on any kind of fitness routine, it’s always best to speak with your doctor beforehand.
For more information on Oakmont Senior Living and the exercise programs they offer call 661-568-6080 or visit our website at Oakmontofvalencia.com