THREE WAYS THE Y CAN HELP YOU STAY YOUNG AT HEART

It’s never too late to start exercising no matter the age. People who exercise tend to have improved immune and digestive functioning, and bone density, better blood pressure and a lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, obesity, heart disease, osteoporosis, and certain cancers. Strength training can also help alleviate the symptoms of chronic conditions such as arthritis.

At the Y, we can help you stay young at heart and we offer active older adult programs.

1.Exercise

Find an exercise you enjoy. Make exercise a social activity and find an exercise buddy to keep each other motivated. Exercise improves your strength, flexibility, and posture, which in turn can help with your balance and coordination and reduce your risk of falls. Also, reward yourself for all the hard work you’ve done!

2. Stay Social

When it comes to staying social it can be difficult. Find people around your age that enjoy the same activities. Join a book club, a dance class, exercise class, or go see a movie, etc. You don’t always have to exercise, plan fun activities inside and outside. Keep in touch with you friends and have fun!

3.Keep your mind healthy

Try not to watch too much television, as that is a passive activity and does little to stimulate your brain. Exercise is also good for your mind, mood, and memory. It can improve your mood and outlook and reap all the physical and mental health benefits of exercise.

Daniel, a long-term member of the active older adults’ program, loves the friendliness of the people in the class and the interaction with the instructors. His two favorite classes are Zumba and The HIIT. “I joined AOA because I needed to be active after I had cancer and I wanted to get my strength back and I had lost my partner of 54 years”, he said. AOA gave Daniel the healing he need from the trials and tribulations he was going through. The Y offers a variety of exercise and social opportunities for our senior members. 

For more information, visit: www.ymcadallas.org/activeolderadults