Maintaining an active lifestyle as you age is incredibly important. Not only is it a great way to offset mental and physical changes, but it is also essential for maintaining your quality of life. But as warm weather comes to town, you might not know how to get physical activity while still enjoying some time outdoors.
If you are looking for a way to increase or maintain your physical activity levels while enjoying the summer weather, you might want to consider swimming. It offers a low-impact, full-body workout that can provide numerous benefits to seniors. If you want to learn more about why our Leisure Villas team recommends swimming for all seniors, keep reading.
1. Low Impact on Joints
One of the biggest advantages of swimming for seniors is its low-impact nature. Many physical activities, like running or weight lifting, can put stress on your joints and bones. This impact may lead to chronic aches and pain. However, going for a swim allows for smooth, fluid movement without the risk of impact-related injuries. This low impact can be especially appealing to seniors who may have arthritis, joint pain, and other mobility issues that make regular physical activity difficult or impossible.
2. Improves Cardiovascular Health
Over 30 million people in the U.S. were diagnosed with heart disease in 2018, and that number continues to increase every year. With numbers like this, you might be concerned about your risk for developing heart disease. Swimming, however, is a great way to get your heart pumping and improve your cardiovascular health, keeping you safe. It helps strengthen your heart muscles, improve circulation, lower blood pressure, and reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke. If you are trying to reduce your risk of heart disease and keep your heart healthy, incorporating this exercise into your everyday routine is a must.
3. Reduces Fall Risks
Falls can be incredibly dangerous for seniors, leading to significant injuries and complications. Fortunately, swimming can help you prevent this. Throughout the exercise, the water supports your body, reducing the risk of falls. It also helps you improve your balance and coordination, which are essential for preventing falls in and out of the water. By strengthening muscles and increasing your confidence in movement, you can trust that you are physically equipped to handle everyday activities without risking a fall.
4. Increases Muscle Strength and Flexibility
As you age, you may naturally begin to experience sarcopenia, a natural loss of muscle mass due to age. Additionally, you may find that you aren’t as flexible as you once were. Swimming is an excellent way to combat this decline. If you are looking for a great way to exercise while boosting muscle growth, it is a great way to work nearly every muscle group in your body, including your arms, legs, core, and back. The resistance of water helps to build strength, while the range of motion required for swimming is great for improving your flexibility and joint mobility.
5. Helps Manage Weight
Maintaining your weight as you age may be more difficult than you realize, but swimming can help. This activity is a highly effective calorie-burning exercise that can help you manage your weight while improving your body composition. Plus, unlike some other exercises, it is much more relaxed. When you are swimming, you won’t feel like you are heading to the gym for a long, rough workout. This low stress makes it an easy workout routine for anyone to maintain in the long term.
6. Provides Stress Relief
While the physical benefits of swimming are abundant, they aren’t the only benefits of the activity. In fact, regularly going for a swim is also great for your mind. The rhythmic movements of being in the water can promote relaxation and reduce stress levels. It has also been shown to release endorphins, your body’s natural feel-good chemicals. If you have been dealing with symptoms of depression and anxiety, taking a trip to your local pool might be a great step toward reducing them.
7. Provides Opportunities for Social Interaction
For many seniors, loneliness and social isolation may be a significant challenge, especially if you’ve moved to a new community. If you choose to take up swimming, it provides you with an opportunity for social interaction and community engagement. Whether you join a water aerobics class, swim laps with friends, or chat with fellow pool-goers, it is a great way to build relationships and connections with people in your community, improving your overall well-being. Don’t let moving to a new community leave you feeling lonely. Take this opportunity to increase your activity level while making new friends.
Swimming, Socializing, and More at Leisure Villas
Whether you are looking for a community that supports your desire to be more physically active, provides opportunities for more social connections, or a home that better suits your needs, turn to us at Leisure Villas. With communities across the Wasatch Front, we are confident that we have a community that is perfect for you.
Our team encourages residents to engage in a variety of physical activities, hobbies, and events to ensure they get the most out of living in these communities. When you live in a Leisure Villas home, you can trust that you’re living in a place that supports your continued growth. If you want to learn more about our communities or you’d like to schedule a tour, don’t hesitate to contact us today.