For decades, research shows that exercise benefits senior citizens’ physical health by maintaining a healthy heart, building strong bones, and mitigating age-related diseases. More recently, researchers have been investigating how exercise affects their mental health. In today’s video, I speak with Sandy, a strong 65-year young woman with a long history of physical activity. Listening to her perceived benefits from exercise motivated me to continue exercising myself and left me with the hope that rigorous training is possible in my senior years!
I found a great article titled “5 Benefits of Exercise for Seniors and Aging Adults” posted on The Greenfields website, a continuing care community.
The benefits include preventing disease, improved mental health, decreased risks of falls, social engagement, and improved cognitive function. I want to elaborate more on how social engagement, improved mental health, and cognitive function is improved by exercise.
Social engagement means surrounding yourself with other people in your community. Being active within a group is essential for us to feel a sense of belonging. No one wants to feel lonely. In this group, one can be motivated and encourage others, share experiences, and continue to learn more about oneself.
Exercise improves mental health by encouraging the body to produce “happy” hormones called endorphins. The more these hormones make a presence, the less stress is felt. Other beneficial hormones are related to improving sleep quality which is especially important for older adults experiencing sleep disruptions.
Regarding improved cognitive function, this article emphasizes the benefits of exercise in lowering the risk of Dementia. According to www.alz.org, “Dementia is a general term for loss of memory, language, problem-solving and other thinking abilities that are severe enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of Dementia.” Exercise is indeed a fine-tuned motor skill. Skills such as this have been shown to increase cognitive function. Authors of this article claim that the risk of dementia decreases regardless of when a routine is started.
Have feedback, thoughts, or want to share how exercise affects your mental health, let me know in the comments below!
Per this blog’s disclaimer, statements made here are not for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All the information contained in this blog is for educational and informational use only.
Iron Mind Fitness Austin 