Lake Oconee Health – Why Exercise Becomes Essential as You Age by Jolie Glassman
Physical activity is necessary for healthy living, and making it part of a consistent routine provides immense benefits for physical and mental health. Research shows the benefits of consistent exercise across all age brackets and health groups, and those benefits, as well as the exercise itself, become even more important as our bodies age.
Here are the top 5 reasons why exercise is essential, especially as the years tick by and we continue aging.
1. Exercise Can Help Reduce Disease Risk
When doctors say “exercise is good for you,” it is not without reason. Physical activity improves overall immune function, allowing our immune system to better defend against diseases that could threaten our health.
Studies have shown that routine exercise can help reduce the risk of chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease. With these two conditions routinely ranking among the deadliest in the U.S., doctors recommend that older adults exercise consistently to help mitigate their risks.
2. Exercise Improves Mental Health
You may be familiar with the term “runner’s high.” This refers to the feeling of euphoria runners experience during sustained cardiovascular exercise, driven by the release of endorphins into the bloodstream.
Running is far from the only form of exercise that releases endorphins. Any exercise that challenges physical limits can trigger them. When exercise places physical stress on the body, working through that effort prompts our chemistry to release endorphins once the exertion eases. That release boosts mood and cognitive function, much like enjoying a meal after fasting or drinking cold water after working under the summer sun.
3. Exercise Increases Social Engagement
As we age, confronting our own mortality can sometimes bring feelings of loneliness and isolation. Exercising with others helps counter both issues. Joining a group of like-minded people who enjoy similar activities improves physical health while supporting mental well-being through regular social connection. Building new friendships in an active exercise community can also renew a sense of purpose.
Not all exercise needs to be done solo. Exercising with others can also provide added support, accountability, and social connection.
4. Exercise Decreases Risk of Physical Injury
Older adults face a higher natural risk of physical injury. Falls are among the most common and serious injuries for seniors, often triggering complications that threaten physical independence.
Adhering to a routine of physical activity builds stronger muscles, bones, and joints. It also improves flexibility and mobility, strengthening balance and coordination which can help reduce the risk of falls and related injuries.
5. Exercise Improves Physical Independence and Autonomy
A fall or broken bone, along with the recovery process, becomes significantly more severe as we age. Imagine a hockey stick-shaped graph where the horizontal axis represents age and the vertical axis represents how severely a basic injury affects the body.
For older adults, an injury that would barely slow someone down in their teens or twenties can prove life-altering. Sticking to a consistent exercise routine strengthens your physical constitution and softens the impact of physical setbacks. Regular exercise helps you protect your mobility, independence, and autonomy for years to come.
Jolie Glassman has been the owner and operator of South Beach Boxing since 1998. Her goal is to make everyone she comes in contact with, through both friendships and working relationships, feel better about themselves and more confident about their lives. Jolie lives to impact and transform the lives of others through fitness, specifically boxing fitness. Spend a few minutes with Jolie and you undoubtedly will be swept up in her passion and infectious energy to be better and feel good about yourself.