Do you know what the key to healthy aging is?
It’s physical activity!
According to the CDC, older adults need at least 150 minutes a week of moderately intense activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity (think hiking, jogging, or running). We need 2 days a week of activities that strengthen muscles and activities that help to improve our balance.
All of this activity can sound like a lot, but it can easily be broken down into chunks and you can start small. Since some physical activity is better than none, don’t be afraid to work your way back up to something more intense and build those healthier habits.
But we all need to move!
That’s why we gathered our favorite things to make moving and getting healthier.
Start with Walking More
One of the easiest ways to increase our physical activity is to literally just get off the couch and move! Go for a walk around your neighborhood, head to a local park and take in the scenery, or even do a few laps around Target. Make those walks comfortable and easy with the Skechers Go Walk shoe. With models for both men and women, these Skechers are super easy to slide on and comfortable for that next stroll.
Learn While You Walk
If you find walking boring, then you’ll want to load up a new audiobook or podcast and make it a lot more fun! With the latest Apple AirPods, you can multi-task and do some learning while you walk. They’ll stay in your ears while you move and have up to 30 hours of battery life so they’re perfect for a walk, hike, or even a run.
Build Up Your Strength with Resistance
You probably read strength training and worry it means weights. But it doesn’t have to! Resistance bands are the perfect way to add some strength-training into your routine without the intimidation. These bands come in different levels so you can work your way up and start seeing some pretty cool results. Plus, they work to target different muscle groups!
Improve Your Balance by Wobbling
Ok, I know this one might sound a bit odd but hear me out. If you want to improve your balance, you can stand on one leg and alternate, or you could have a bit of fun with a wobble board. This anti-slip surface works great to improve your core and you can stand on it to improve your balance or even use it to do pushups or other exercises. Plus, I think it’s just kind of fun!
Dance Your Way to Health
One way to combine a lot of these? Dancing! It not only helps to improve your balance, it also can be the perfect aerobic exercise. To make dancing more comfortable, you’ll want the right shoes to aid your steps. We personally love the YYTing Beginner’s shoes for women and the Very Fine Ballroom Sneakers for men. Turn on some music, grab a partner, and get to stepping.
