Imagine stepping out of your house to be engulfed by the fresh air, the warmth of the sun on your skin, and the birds chirping as you walk down the road. Don’t they make exercising outdoors so much more enjoyable and rewarding?
Engaging in outdoor exercises and activities is extremely beneficial for seniors looking to stay active and healthy. Studies by Harvard Health Publishing have purported that older people who are physically more active are likely to remain strong and healthy in the long run. Find out how you and your loved ones can try out these outdoor exercises while adhering to social distancing measures!
Try Hiking or Walking
Walking is an easy and low-impact aerobic exercise that builds endurance, and while hiking is similar to walking, there are hills and slopes to conquer which strengthens your stamina. A study conducted by The Mayo Clinic purported that regular walking improves muscle coordination and reduces the risks of cardiovascular diseases.
Whether you walk alone or hike with a companion, exploring around your neighborhood under good weather conditions is perfect for your physical and mental wellbeing. It is the best outdoor exercise any older adult can get, so start slow!
Cycle Around the Neighbourhood
Cycling is another enjoyable outdoor exercise that you can do. For older adults, try finding a suitable flat ground optimal for cycling so you don’t have to overexert yourself or be at risk of falling over or losing control of the bike. Should you be unfamiliar with bicycles, try hopping onto a tricycle or quadricycle so it’s more sturdy and socially interactive to have someone paddling next to you.
Older adults with grandchildren can even bring them out to play and guide them along when cycling! It is a great bonding activity that fosters good relations with your loved ones.
Practice Yoga and Tai Chi
Outdoor stretching is ideal, as you can enjoy the sun while doing yoga exercises. Simply bring out a yoga mat into your backyard accompanied by soothing music, or immerse in the sound of nature, and let loose. Outdoor yoga is extremely calming when the sun shines and the wind hits.
Another calming outdoor exercise similar to yoga is Tai Chi, which is soothing and therapeutic with lifelong benefits. Both exercises are beneficial for your mental and physical wellness – calm your mind while improving balance and flexibility. They are the best exercises for seniors looking to stay physically and mentally healthy!
Hit the Pool
Swimming is a great exercise that helps to tone your muscles, enhance flexibility, as well as reduce the risk of arthritis. Older adults with painful joints can relieve the pain while relaxing and having a soothing, casual swim, especially on a hot day.
Like walking, swimming is also a low-impact exercise so it can be done at your own pace and intensity depending on your fitness level. Having a splash in the pool with your loved ones is also bound to be an enjoyable one!
Gardening
There are many benefits of gardening for seniors. Gardening might not seem as intense as you would think, but studies have reported that doing at least half an hour of gardening work burns up to 200 calories! Activities like testing the soil, mowing the lawn, planting the seeds at various parts of your backyard, and watering, can take up a considerable amount of time and physical effort, which makes for a great form of outdoor exercise.
