As we age, regular physical activity is more important than ever. Regular exercise ensures seniors maintain healthy energy levels and keeps chronic disease at bay.
While it can seem intimidating for older adults, yoga is one of the best forms of exercise for seniors. With proper practice, seniors can improve their flexibility and enhance their strength while getting in a good workout.
Here are some of the top benefits of yoga for aging adults.
Reduced Stress
While retirement should be a relaxed and stress-free time in life, that’s not always the case. Changes in family dynamics, financial uncertainty, and adjusting to a new environment can be stressful.
Yoga is an effective way to focus the mind, relax, and exercise at the same time. Yoga involves deep and purposeful breathing along with slow movements, which have been shown to have a relaxing effect.
Stress can be harmful to seniors and cause negative health effects. Yoga can be a good activity to explore if you or your loved one is experiencing stress.
Strengthen Bones and Joints
Part of getting older is naturally losing strength. While there is no proven way to stop the aging process, you can slow it down and maintain your strength with physical exercise. Yoga effectively strengthens bones and joints without putting too much extra strain on the body.
Since yoga is self-paced and can cater to varying mobility levels, any senior can participate and work toward strengthening their body.
Improved Sleep
Since yoga acts as a form of exercise, relieves stress, and has a relaxing effect, seniors who practice yoga often report improved sleep. Sleep is critical for people of all ages, but lack of sleep can harm seniors.
In addition, seniors may be more likely to experience sleep disturbances because of medication side effects or changes in health. Yoga is a natural way to encourage better quality sleep without additional medications.
Mental Health
The body and mind are inextricably linked, and it is difficult to maintain good mental health without physical health. Yoga has been shown to boost mood, improve confidence, and encourage an active lifestyle. While yoga can be practiced at home, an even better option is to enroll in a yoga class for seniors.
In a classroom setting, you not only have the benefit of a trained instructor, but the social element can also significantly improve mental health.
Yoga classes are a natural opportunity to make new friends and build exercise into your weekly schedule. If you live in independent living in Bradenton, FL, you may even be able to take a yoga class right on site.
Improve Balance and Flexibility
Falls and accidents are common among seniors and can cause serious injuries. As seniors lose flexibility and balance, the risk of falls increases. Yoga can greatly improve balance and flexibility over time, allowing seniors to respond to falls and accidents better.
Yoga is a progressive practice, but sticking with it over time can make a big difference in overall mobility.
Stay Active at Independent Living in Bradenton, FL
Independent living can be a great option for seniors looking to stay active who also want an environment with a little more support. Independent living in Bradenton, FL, offers everything seniors could want from retirement.
From beautiful weather and facilities to various amenities and a real sense of community, seniors from all walks of life find happiness in senior living communities.
Best of all, these communities encourage social interaction, physical activity, and overall wellness, which helps ensure you enjoy your retirement as long as possible.
