It's important to stay physically active as you age in order
to live a healthy and productive life for as long as possible. While cardio routines
and strength training can be beneficial at every stage of life, flexibility
should also be an important consideration. By stretching and exercising
regularly, not only will you improve the health of your joints and the range of
your motion, you'll also drastically reduce your chance of developing an
injury. Whether you start a regular yoga class or simply do some stretching
before your morning walk, flexibility is one of the best ways to improve
quality of life.
Modern life has become more sedentary than ever before, with
too much sitting causing our joints to weaken and our range of motion to get
smaller. Because people experience reduced muscle strength and decreased
elasticity as they age, dedicated measures are needed to ensure full body
movement. Staying flexible with age requires a regular and balanced fitness
regime, including stretching, light cardio, and body strength routines. People
who stay flexible are less likely to experience physical injury and more likely
to get involved in sporting and leisure activities that enhance their quality
of life.
Stretching is the key to flexibility, enhancing the range of
motion in your joints and improving the circulation of blood to your muscles. It's
important to stretch your major muscle groups at least two or three times a week,
with daily stretching often a good idea. It's important to gradually elongate
muscles when stretching, holding your position for about 30 seconds unless you
experience pain or excessive discomfort. If you want to engage with stretching
on a deeper level, yoga is a mind-body practice that combines physical
stretching with breathing techniques and mental focus. Yoga can be as gentle or
demanding as you like, making it a great choice for people at all stages of
life.
Flexibility is not just about stretching, however, with
gentle cardio and bodywork also needed to strengthen the muscles that hold the
joints in place. Swimming laps at the local pool is a great way to get strong
and flexible at the same time, with water supporting the joints and encouraging
freedom through a wide range of different motions. Walking and jogging can also
support flexibility if done carefully, as can interval training, body weight
routines, and a range of other exercises. In fact, there is nothing more
important to flexibility than exercise itself - meaning you have to use your
joints on a regular basis if you don't want to lose their function over time.
Increasing your flexibility and staying active as you age
will also improve your balance, giving you confidence to keep working longer and
enjoy life to the fullest. Resistance training is great for balance, with the
ancient practice of tai chi another great way to improve strength and
flexibility through the art of movement. Much like yoga, tai chi involves
deliberate movements that connect the body with the mind, making it a great way
to compensate for declining balance and flexibility as you age. With the
Internet full of useful information and flexibility classes more widely
available than ever before, it's never been easier to keep moving and stay
vibrant as you age.
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