Never Too Old: Why Seniors Should Walk More

The more you move, the longer you live. These aren’t just meaningless words, this is the truth.

Modern seniors spend the major part of their days in front of the screens, increasing their risk of heart disease, stroke, and obesity. Just because it’s hard for you to walk longer distances doesn’t mean you should stay at home and watch the next episode of your favorite show.

Here’s why seniors should walk more, no matter the age.

1. Boost your brain health

Regular strolls in the park help to improve your brain function, prevent age-related memory loss, and delay Alzheimer’s disease. The mental sharpness is crucially important for a proper lifestyle and this is where walking can aid. Your brain craves movement to stay young longer.

2. Improve your heart health

Seniors who take strolls daily are more likely to avoid heart-related problems. Since you can’t exercise intensely to get your heart rate up, walking is the easiest way to get your heart pumping. Do it regularly to keep your blood pressure at bay and avoid coronary heart disease.

3. Reduce blood sugar

A 10 to 20-minute walk after each meal helps to prevent blood sugar spikes that seniors are more prone to. Walking stimulates insulin function and helps you strengthen muscles, lowering your risk of developing diabetes.

4. Good for the joints

Unlike jogging and running, walking doesn’t cause damage to your joints. When walking, you’re engaging in a mild workout that promotes your joint health. As you age, you should be extra careful with your joints since one wrong move and you risk developing certain mobility problems.

5. Slim and trim

It’s not a secret that skinny seniors live longer. Obesity decreases a lifespan and causes a great number of health problems. Walking speeds up the metabolism and stimulates faster calorie burning. One hour walk daily can help you burn up to 400 calories, keeping you slim and trim.

6. Combat insomnia

Seniors often have trouble falling asleep and are more prone to chronic insomnia. Regular walks at least two hours before sleep will help you sleep better at night, while longer walks during the day may help with fighting insomnia.

7. Strengthen muscles

Regular strolls have been shown to gradually strengthen muscles and delay the loss of muscle mass. Walking strengthens the muscles of legs, calves, butt, and abs, improving your overall mobility. If you suffer from arthritis, walking may help you alleviate foot pains and common foot problems.

8. Boost your happiness and lifespan

Let’s be honest, aging isn’t a happy process. The majority of seniors suffer from anxiety and depression due to this fact. Walking is one of the cardio exercises that stimulate the production of endorphins – the hormones of happiness. Incorporate walking into your daily routine to increase your happiness and decrease your risk of death.

As you get older, it becomes even more important to stay active. Performing more intense workouts may affect your health, which is why such mild exercise like walking is a must try.