Press Release

National Senior Health Day

Seniors, did you know there is a day just for you?  Well, May 30^th is “National Senior Health Day” which encourages all seniors to become active and healthy to improve their overall health.  Do you wish you felt better?  Try exercising it’s that simple.  “Physical exercise has been proven to discourage declines in health and fitness,” states the American Council on Exercise.  Regular exercise at any age will improve your health and well being.  That is it can actually reduce health risks.  Regular exercise helps control blood pressure, body weight and cholesterol levels, and reduces the risks of hardening of the arteries, heart attack and stroke.  A fitness program can also benefit you by conditioning the body to help fight osteoporosis, keeping and/or enhancing flexibility and joint stability, which lowers your risk of injury.  These are just a few of the benefits of regular exercise which also include digestive health, deeper more restful sleep, increased energy level, stress management as well as managing lower back pain, arthritis and diabetes. Regular physical activity can even help you maintain your independence, by keeping you strong and vibrant.

A good exercise program is one that includes the following components cardiovascular activity, muscle conditioning activities and flexibility to stretch your body and promote good posture. Start out slowly and increase your regime little by little each week.  The American Council on Exercise states that the “best aerobics for seniors are non-jarring ones, like walking, swimming, cycling and low-impact aerobic dance.”  Be creative and discover the type of exercise you like best, this will help you maintain a regular exercise schedule.  Try aqua aerobics, yoga, Tai Chi, line dancing, square dancing, ballroom dancing, golfing, tennis, senior softball, or even taking your dog for a walk.  Seniors should perform each of these exercises in moderation until their bodies are able to adapt to the activity.  It is also a good idea to consult your physician prior to beginning any exercise program.

Exercise is a large component of good health but don't ignore some equally important elements that contribute to good health like eating a well-balanced diet, not smoking and maintaining regular check-ups with your doctor.