Senior Sunrise

Many people aren’t thrilled about the prospect of getting older. Inevitably, your health will begin to slowly deteriorate and you will be unable to do some of the activities you could when you were young and spry. Just because you are entering your Golden Years, however, doesn’t mean you have to stop having fun.

 This should be the best time of your life, when you get to enjoy retirement and spend time with your loved ones. Once you hit 65, you will be eligible for senior discounts at many restaurants and entertainment venues. Use this opportunity to go out more and do some things you may not have been able to afford in earlier years.

As the body ages, it undergoes a series of degenerative changes. Lack of physical exercise can lead to muscular atrophy, in which muscles shrink and weaken from disuse. It’s also crucial for seniors to maintain healthy circulation by keeping their cardiovascular systems in tip-top shape. The National Institutes of Health recommend four general types of senior citizen exercises that greatly benefit active adults.

Stretching exercises increase freedom of movement and reduce the likelihood of joint pain. Endurance routines such as walking, biking and swimming keep the heart pumping at a healthy pace. Strength exercises improve metabolism and build muscles. Lastly, balance routines decrease the odds of suffering from a broken hip – one of the most dangerous risks faced by the elderly.