Sedentary living doesn’t just mean you are missing out on all the great benefits of exercise and physical activity, it also might endanger your long-term health. Contemporary living has created a population of sedentary people. Unfortunately, high levels of inactivity become more of an issue as you age. For those caring for another adult, like a spouse, knowing about the dangers of a sedentary lifestyle can go a long way to promoting better health for you and your care recipient.
The Dangers of Sedentary Living
Older Americans are More Prone to Inactivity
You’ve likely heard about the benefits of exercise, especially for seniors. From improving your mood to keeping joints healthy, there are lots of reasons to get up and get moving on a daily basis. However, for many older Americans, this can present a challenge. Many age-related health conditions can make it more difficult to perform physical activities.
Understand the Benefits of Movement vs. the Dangers of Inactivity
You should know this is not all about missing out on the benefits of physical activity. There are very real dangers to being too inactive. In fact, living a sedentary lifestyle can be as dangerous as smoking. According to a study of 400,000 participants, inactive people increase their chances of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes by 20-30%.
Daily Tasks Can Become More Difficult to Perform
When you aren’t physically active enough, your body begins to lose muscle tissue. This can cause an increased level of difficulty performing activities of daily living. These can include things as simple as bathing and dressing. And for those with arthritis, a sedentary lifestyle can lead to increased pain and swelling of joints.
Progression of Bone Loss
As a senior, you are already at a higher risk for bone loss. However, living a sedentary lifestyle can make bone loss progress faster. Exercises that promote strength building can promote healthy bone growth.
Increased Risk of Depression
You’ve likely felt the mood-lifting benefits of exercise at one point or another. Fortunately, this doesn’t change as you age. For seniors, who are more prone to depression, it’s vital to stay active to avoid depression.
How to Stay More Active
If you suffer from a chronic condition like heart disease or diabetes, be sure to consult your doctor before starting an exercise routine. Some ways to stay more healthy and active as you age include:
Keeping Fit
That’s right, it’s easy to use muscles when you’ve already been keeping them fit. Staying fit as you age will make it easier to maintain a healthy level of activity. Whether you exercise regularly or stay fit from daily activities, exercise is necessary to age well. Exercise can help improve bone strength, balance, and prevent heart and brain conditions. A strength training program will help you keep and strengthen the vital muscle groups needed for daily life.
Assess Your Terrain
Keeping your floor, and home at large, free from hazards can reduce your risk of falling. Confident Living is experienced in helping you make home modifications to keep you safe and upright. To start, remove rugs, loose carpet, and floor clutter to keep your terrain free from clutter.
Stay Connected
Your environment is not the only key to successful aging, but also how you interact with your environment. Social isolation is a major factor in things like fall risks that would affect your ability to live independently. To ensure active aging, be sure to interact with friends and family to diminish the chances of a fall or injury going unnoticed.
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