No matter your age, getting up and active is a vital part to staying happy and healthy. However, as you get older, getting out and doing the same kinds of activities that you used to do when you were a young adult isn’t going to be quite as feasible. As seniors, we begin to struggle with mobility issues, balance, energy levels, and more. That doesn’t mean that you don’t want to get out and do things; it just means that things can sometimes be a bit more difficult.
This is why it’s important to find activities that you can do that better suit your activity, mobility, and balance levels, and those activities may not always need to come from our senior apartments in Madison Heights, MI. While we do offer classes and activities that might help, you should find what works best for you and your lifestyle.
Wanting to get out and get more active? Here are some ways that you can start:
1. Play with your grandchildren.
If you have grandchildren and are able to see and visit with them regularly, use that time to get on the floor and play with them! Not only does playing with your grandchildren give you valuable one-on-one time with your loved ones, it also gets you up, moving, and active.
Consider how much moving around you’d be doing by playing hide and seek with your elementary-school aged grandchildren. Or, if your grandchildren are older, build forts with them, play video games like Just Dance with them that require you to move, or participate in fun activities like hiking or tennis. It’s a great way to be able to connect with your loved ones that also gets you up, moving, and active.
2. Join a mall-walking group.
Mall-walking was a popular workout when malls first began to grow in popularity, and that trend still stands to this day. Check on Facebook for local groups that still get together and go mall-walking. It’s a fun way to get out of the house or the apartment while still getting plenty of exercise. Plus, joining a mall walking group means that you’ll have companionship while you’re walking, keeping you more motivated to keep exercising!
3. Try out a dance class.
At many retirement communities, like Reserve at Red Run’s senior apartments in Madison Heights, MI, there are plenty of classes for you to choose from and participate in. You can take classes on anything from cooking, to art, to even dancing.
Dancing may not be for everyone, of course, but you’ll never know until you try! You’ll be able to learn many different styles of dance, and you might be surprised at how much you like it! Plus, there are quite a few ballroom dances that are more low-impact and don’t require much intense movement.
4. In the summertime, get out and go swimming!
Summertime is perfect for getting out and getting active. Not only is the weather warm and sunny, making the pool a nice, cool respite, swimming itself is an excellent way to stay in shape. Swimming is a low-impact exercise, meaning that it’s easier on your joints if you suffer from joint pain, mobility issues, or arthritis. However, even though it’s low impact, swimming burns a lot of calories and is actually an intense workout!
For seniors who may struggle with mobility and balance and have issues participating in many types of exercise, swimming is an excellent alternative. In the pool, you don’t need to worry as much about keeping your balance as you’ll float in the water. Plus, because it is so low impact, it won’t cause any kind of additional pain or injury to your joints. Water is also soothing, so it may help to calm any kind of inflammation you may be struggling with.
5. Take a yoga or tai chi class.
Yoga and tai chi are both low impact but high reward exercises that you can do to stay in shape. Yoga and tai chi are unique in that while they both focus on physical health, they also have a major focus on mental health as well. You’re encouraged to meditate while you take yoga and tai chi classes, and the repetitive motions and poses encourage you to release your stress and focus on the here and now.
While tai chi and yoga may not be for everyone, you never know until you try! Give it a shot at Reserve at Red Run’s senior apartments. You might be surprised at how much you enjoy a calming yoga class!
6. Get your walking in when you go shopping.
When the holidays come around, it’s easy to go online and purchase all of your holiday gifts. However, if you enjoy getting out and finding things in person, did you know that that’s a great way to get out and get active?
The next time you go shopping, even if you’re just heading to the grocery store, try making it so that you can get the most exercise possible even in that short activity. Park at the back of the parking lot so that you have to walk all the way to the front. Circle the entire store a couple of times, even if you’re only going in for a couple of things. You’re already there, so why not make the most of your time out and get active?
Staying Active at our Senior Apartments in Madison Heights, MI
Here at The Reserve at Red Run, we take pride in providing the best environment possible for all of our seniors. We want our residents to live long, happy, and healthy lives, and we understand that getting out and getting active is a major part of that. From tai chi and yoga classes to personal training sessions, we invest our time into making our residents feel comfortable and excited to participate in our activities.
If you’re interested in seeing what all you can experience at our senior apartments in Madison Heights, MI, then contact us and schedule a tour today!
