Being physically active is one of the most important things you can do to maintain your mobility and reduce your risk of falls. Being active has other benefits, too. It can help manage or prevent chronic conditions, support positive emotional and mental health, and keep your mind sharp!
If you’re wondering how active you need to be to see these benefits, we have you covered! Below is information on the recommended amount and type of physical activity for those 65+.
This article will cover the following topics:
In general, the physical activity recommendations say to move more and sit less! Some activity is better than none and you will gain health benefits for any amount of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services gives specific physical activity recommendations for adults, including those 65+.
Have you heard the saying “variety is the spice of life”? That’s also true when it comes to being active, especially after age 65! That’s why the LivWatch program included a number of different ways to stay active, such as your mobility walks, balance and strength training, and Tai Chi.
As you plan how to stay active in the future, be sure to include each of the four main types of exercise:
If you need inspiration on exercises that fit into each category, The National Institute on Aging has fantastic resources, including example exercise types and a link to their YouTube channel with exercise videos for older adults.
There are a number of ways to stay active, including structured in-person and online exercise classes. If you are looking for a class to help you stay active, we have a few options we recommend:
In the video above, we gave you our best suggestions on how to make being physically active a habit. Below you’ll find those tips and more to help you keep moving forward on your mobility journey!
Build a routine bit by bit
To make it a habit, track it
Track your activity to help you see progress, stay accountable, and reach goals
How to handle a habit setback
Keeping up a habit isn’t always smooth, but time away from being active doesn’t have to mean completely starting over
Make it fun
Keep your habit from getting stale by adding some variety
If being active with others sounds like something for you, try making it social
Scientifically backed ways to stay motivated and set goals
In addition to the tips we’ve already covered, the National Institute on Aging has a list of suggestions on staying motivated to exercise and includes useful examples
Make your physical activity goals SMART - SMART is a specific method of goal setting that can help anyone become more physically active
