Tips and benefits to staying active

As you get older, exercise can be more difficult but there are many benefits to staying active. You don’t have to do anything too strenuous, even walking for just 15 minute a day can help improve your health and wellbeing.

We’ve put together some tips on how to stay active:

• Do a little every day – any kind of activity is better than nothing
• Start of small – if you sit a lot, try standing regularly and walking between rooms
• Stretch it out - there are plenty of stretches you can do in bed or sat down that will help keep your muscles strong and remain supple
• If you feel you can, try walking to your local shop or if you do drive there, don’t park so close to the entrance
• Join a walking group with like-minded individuals – not only will this improve fitness but it will enhance your social interactions and lift your mood.

Some benefits of staying active can be:

• Strengthen your muscles
• Helps to lose/maintain a healthy weight
• Improves balance and coordination which can reduce the risk of falls
• Reduces the risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer and Type 2 diabetes
• Strengthens your bones and keeps your joints flexible
• Improves energy levels, mood and confidence
• Improves your social life.

We hope this article will inspire you to have confidence that you can stay active, even if you find exercise difficult.