3 Tips for Older Adults To Stay Active

Posted by Anna Johnson on January 10th, 2023

People have different health and nutrition requirements at different points in their lifetimes. For example, babies have certain needs that differ from those in their teenage years, which still vary from those in their childbearing years and beyond. Older adults, in particular, are wise to pay attention to their well-being to ensure continued high quality of life as they age. Here are three tips for older adults who are looking to stay active. 

1. Get Proper Nutrition

Many people experience a decrease in their appetite as they get older. There are numerous reasons for this, many of which are natural and do not require intervention. However, this reduction in appetite does mean that older people need to pay that much more attention to what they do eat to maximize the nutrients they consume. 

In addition to eating a healthy diet, taking comprehensive vitamin and mineral supplements is one way that seniors can help ensure that they get enough necessary nutrients to stay strong and active. Some vitamins and minerals that older adults should pay special attention to include:

• Calcium, which supports bone health
• Vitamin B12, which helps maintain robust energy levels
• Magnesium, which helps support normal muscle function
• Fiber, which, along with proper hydration, assists with the proper functioning of the digestive tract

By finding a product containing several of these crucial nutrients, people can enjoy having fewer supplements that they need to remember to take during the day. 

2. Engage the Brain

Continuing to learn new things in their older years is very beneficial for people concerned about their brain health. Some things that people might consider doing are:

• Learning a new language, even if they never become completely fluent in the language
• Taking up a musical instrument
• Trying a new physical activity
• Writing short stories, whether they are fiction or nonfiction
• Learning a computer programming language

An active mind often goes hand in hand with having an active body, so older adults should continue seeking new challenges for their brains. 

3. Keep Moving

While it can be more of a challenge for older people to stay as physically active as they once were, making a conscious effort to do so will help them to remain active for as long as possible. It is important for people wanting to get more into working out to find something that interests them and will keep them motivated even on days they do not feel like doing anything. Fortunately, there are many physical activities to choose from. 

Brisk Walking or Jogging

Walking and jogging have the benefit of a low cost and few barriers to entry. Generally, all that is necessary are comfortable clothing, shoes, and a safe place to walk. If someone's neighborhood is not safe or does not have sidewalks, for instance, most parks have walking paths that are free of motor vehicles. 

Swimming

Swimming appeals to people of all ages for its low-impact fitness benefits. One of the drawbacks of this activity is that it may only be accessible during the warmer months unless someone lives near an indoor swimming facility. However, if swimming is an interest, people should either see if there is an indoor facility nearby or take advantage of the summer months. 

Yoga

People use yoga both as a form of stretching and physical activity as well as a form of relaxation. There are many types of yoga, so people can choose which suits them best. For example, there is hot yoga, which involves being in a room that is above a specific temperature, and power yoga, which focuses on building strength. 

These are just three of the countless types of workouts to choose from.

Staying Active for Life

There are many benefits to staying as active as possible for life, and various ways to achieve this goal. Not everything will work for every person, so people should try a few things and stick with what works best for them.