As we age, we need to maintain an active lifestyle which can prove to be a challenge for most older adults. But exercise and physical health work synonymously and there are many fitness routines that we can explore that involve gentle movements. If you are looking for senior activities that can help you maintain good health, learn more about the different benefits of yoga.
Relieve Chronic Pain
The aging process can be hard on our joints and muscles, which wear down after years of daily use. Several poses and stretches of yoga can help alleviate these pains and aches. Yoga is also known to relieve stress which is a contributing factor to inflammation and pain.
Achieve Better Sleep
Many older adults struggle with insomnia which can further worsen their current health issues. By encouraging older adults to practice yoga, they could fall asleep much faster and improve their quality of sleep throughout the night. Yoga is also found to be much more effective as compared to herbal sleep remedies owing to its relaxing breathing techniques.
Reduce Blood Pressure
Yoga can help to reduce blood pressure even more effectively than other relaxing activities such as listening to music. Many studies have shown that yoga stabilized the blood pressure of participants and it stays low as they continue practicing yoga. For older adults who practice yoga regularly, they can improve their health and prevent chronic illnesses like coronary heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure.
Lower Stress Level
Yoga is typically practiced in a peaceful and calm environment. This means that yoga can soothe and even stop the body’s fight or flight response when stress levels are high. Yoga involves slow breathing techniques which also relieve anxiety. This is essential for older adults who suffer from symptoms of dementia like confusion.
Manage Diabetes
Older adults with Type 2 diabetes can better manage their health condition through yoga. Stress affects insulin production and through yoga, glucose levels can be improved so diabetes can be controlled better.
Attain Better Balance and Stability
Balance and stability decrease with age which may, in turn, cause older adults to become more vulnerable to fall hazards when performing their day-to-day tasks. Yoga is helpful in preventing these falls from taking place as it helps to strengthen core muscles to keep the body more stable.
Achieve Better Flexibility
Stiff muscles and joints are common among older adults. Yoga is a gentle activity that can improve flexibility and range of motion. The movements practiced in yoga can simultaneously strengthen and loosen muscles.
Improve Respiration
Older adults often experience breathing difficulties with age. Their respiratory systems will slow down and this can result in a lack of oxygen which has negative effects on the body. Yoga will help older adults to be more mindful of their breathing so they can improve the flow of oxygen throughout their body and support their respiratory function.
Maintain Mindfulness
At every stage of aging, older adults will deal with a great deal of stress. Through yoga, older adults can maintain their mindfulness so they can be more aware of their emotions and thoughts.
