As you age, your body changes in many ways. You have less muscle mass and strength, your balance is not what it used to be, and your reaction time slows down. Ageing also brings with it a number of health issues that make staying as fit as you are now even more challenging. That being said, there’s no need to let old age get you down. There are a variety of activities you can do with your elderly relatives to help them stay fit. Even if they can’t run around like they used to, any amount of physical activity is beneficial for their health and wellbeing. This article will give you some great ideas on how to make keeping fit an enjoyable habit for the older people in your life without making them feel self-conscious or intimidated by their abilities.
Go For Gentle Walks Together
If your relative is still walking comfortably, going for walks together is a great way to build fitness and stay active. For many older people, walking is the easiest exercise they can do. It’s low-impact, can be done anywhere, and doesn’t require any special equipment. Going for a walk together is a great way to make the exercise more enjoyable as well as the perfect way to catch up.
Keep Up With Nutrition
As we age, our metabolism slows down, making it harder to digest food and get enough nutrients from the food we eat. As a result, it can be all too easy for our elderly relatives to start losing weight and not realise that they aren’t eating enough. Make sure that your relative gets plenty of protein, fibre, and iron in their diet. You can help them develop good habits with their diet and create a plan that helps them stay healthy. For tips on the best nutrition for your elderly relative, take a look at these guides from Age UK.
Get Your Relative Excited About Swimming
Swimming is another low-impact exercise that your elderly relative can do to stay fit. It works out most of their muscles, is great for bone and joint health, and is often recommended by physical therapists for people with arthritis. If your relative has never swum before, it’s a good idea to go to the pool with them for their first few times. This will help them build their confidence and make the activity more fun.
Try CBD Muscle Balm To Avoid Injuries
Older people are more likely to experience injuries as their muscles and joints become less flexible. CBD muscle balm can be used to help lessen pain and inflammation caused by injuries, keeping your relative fit and healthy. CBD muscle balm is a natural pain-relieving balm that you can apply to any aching or stiff muscles, joints, and tendons. It will help to ease the pain and increase blood flow, allowing your muscles to stay limber and less likely to be injured. If your relative has arthritis or wants to avoid pain and injury as they get fitter, check out the CBD muscle balm range from Naturally CBD.
Work On Stretches To Ease Aches
As we age, our muscles don’t get as much blood flow as they used to, making them less flexible and more prone to aches and pains. By doing some simple stretching exercises, you can help keep your relative’s muscles flexible and less prone to pain. Stretching can also help improve balance and coordination, making it easier for your relatives to stay on their feet and avoid potential falls. By keeping their muscles flexible and their joints moving, your relative can make sure they stay healthy and active for as long as possible.
Try Chair Based Exercises
If your relative is a little less mobile and can’t get up and walk around, there are still plenty of exercises they can do from a chair. Chair-based exercises can be a great way to work out your upper body, core muscles, and even your legs without having to stand up and move around. There is a wide range of chair-based exercises that you can try with your relative.
Encourage Physical Activity At Home
If your relative has trouble leaving the house, try to encourage them to be a bit more active at home. There are a variety of ways you can do this, from gardening to housework; there’s something for everyone. Physical activity is a great way to keep your mind and body healthy. If your relative struggles to get up and do things around the house, try to be patient. Getting old and having health issues can sometimes make people feel a bit useless, and they may not be very open to assistance. But there is a lot they can do, even if they feel a little bit helpless at times. Be encouraging, and let them know you are there to help them out when they need it.
Consider Yoga To Improve Flexibility
There’s no better way for them to stay fit and healthy than by practising yoga regularly. Yoga is a great way to boost relaxation and blood flow, leading to increased flexibility. It also allows you to really focus on your breathing, which is great for mental wellbeing, too. There are various different types of yoga, so you can choose one that best suits your relative’s skill and fitness level. If they’ve never practised yoga before, you can look for beginner classes to get them started.
Take Advantage Of Technology
As we get older, we often need to take medication to keep our bodies healthy. Unfortunately, it can be challenging to keep up with when to take the medication. However, you can help your relative by taking advantage of technology. Setting up smart devices in their home that they can talk to without needing to press a button will help them keep on top of their medication schedule as well as any other activities they have planned.
Conclusion
As you grow older, keeping fit becomes more challenging. This doesn’t mean you have to resign yourself to a life of sitting on the couch, though. There are lots of things you can do to stay active, even if you have reduced mobility or are at risk of injury. By following the tips in this article, you can help your elderly relatives stay fit and healthy while also enjoying the benefits of an active lifestyle.
