The last Wednesday in May is National Senior Health and Fitness Day. This year, the event will fall on May 25. The day focuses on the importance of staying active and eating healthy as we age.

There is a wide range of benefits associated with physical activity for people of all ages, but seniors have a specific set of benefits, including:

  • Improving physical ability for everyday tasks and independent living
  • Helping control joint swelling and pain from arthritis 
  • Helping reduce the risk of falls
  • Improving heart health
  • Reducing blood pressure
  • Boosting mood to combat anxiety and depression naturally

Best Exercises for Seniors

Some of the best exercises for the aging community include:

  • Water aerobics
  • Seated exercises, like heel raises, toe taps, and seated yoga 
  • Resistance band workouts
  • Walking, particularly in nature or around beautiful sights
  • Anything that you enjoy doing, such as golf, cricket, and taking the grandkids to the park
  • Visiting the zoo
  • Shopping or walking around the shopping mall
  • Gardening
  • Don’t forget to exercise your brain with brainteasers, chess, crossword puzzles, etc.

A Healthy Diet

Of course, exercising is just one piece of the health pie. What you eat is also extremely important. According to The National Council on Aging, seniors should follow these six tips for eating healthy:

  1. Know what a healthy plate looks like.
  2. Incorporate essential nutrients in each meal, such as lean protein, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy.
  3. Read the nutritional labels on food.
  4. Eat the recommended serving size, per the nutritional label.
  5. Stay Hydrated.
  6. Stretch your food budget by cooking at home, meal prepping, and growing your own fruits and vegetables.

If you’d like to learn more about healthy aging, please don’t hesitate to contact our hospice and palliative care specialists today. Our focus is on whole-person health as we age, and we’ve got many tips and resources to help you live an active and healthy lifestyle, no matter your age.