DON’T FORGET TO “KEEP MOVING”

By Sally Gersbach

You’ve probably invested in your financial future but don’t forget to invest in yourself. Being inactive at any age can be detrimental to your over-all well-being. Keeping active can help you stay physically and mentally healthy. So the best investment in yourself is to “keep moving.”

There’s strong evidence that people who are active have a lower risk of certain diseases and remain mentally alert longer than those who are sedentary. A couple of reasons support this theory; Any form of exercise increases blood circulation, and because the exertion makes you breath deeper, your blood oxygen level also increases.

If you haven’t been active, your first step would be to ask your physician’s advice and approval before beginning any exercise regimen. Depending upon your physical health, there may be some activities you should avoid. Start slowly and gradually build up your activity level. Trying too hard to work above your level of comfort can do more harm than good.

As we age, we naturally lose muscle mass and flexibility, which can be exacerbated by even a short period of inactivity. Just work back slowly to regain as much strength as possible. Don’t feel frustrated; just feel proud of yourself for what you can do.

The current generation has become very active, and even our seniors are taking up some form of exercise. Thoughts of any physical activity probably make you think of treadmills and stationary bikes, but equipment is not always necessary. Physical activity includes anything from walking and gardening to a recreational sport, such as golf.

Even senior medical policies are beginning to offer free gym memberships to their members, such as SilverSneakers, Silver and Fit, and Renew Active. Check with your insurance to find which program is offered. Some offer online classes to take anytime. When you sign up, you’re given a membership number to present to your local gym. Remember: It’s FREE!

Though gyms have some daunting equipment, they also offer a variety of classes of all levels of difficulty. Some aerobic-type classes are lowintensity and designed for the “older generation.”

Also, consider trying Yoga for its breathing and stretching benefits. If you’re new to this discipline, begin with a “Restorative” class.

Joining a class not only helps you physically but mentally, as well, because you’ll be exercising and interacting with other people your age. Being with others, even once a week, can boost your morale and ward off depression.

As well as regular physical activity, try to reduce the amount of time you spend sitting down during the day. For example, instead of watching TV or reading all afternoon, take a walk.

What you do will depend on your own circumstances, but it’s a good idea to do activities you enjoy. Research shows it’s never too late to adopt and reap the health benefits from a more active lifestyle.