After you retire, it is easy just to want to sit back and take it easy. You could easily spend hours each day watching TV, being on the computer or cellphone, etc., but these things may only be cutting your life short – shorter than you want. Instead of increasing your physical inactivity, if you want to live longer – you need to keep active.
Why You Need to Stay Active
Over time, your inactivity will begin to take a noticeable toll on your ability to move – especially in your senior years. You will begin to slow down and you become more unstable. Your energy levels will also decrease and it will be more difficult to perform daily activities and enjoy time with friends and family members.
Spending an increasing amount of time being idle will also affect your mind. It will reduce your ability to focus, sleep, remember and recall, as well as your ability to be creative, to be productive, and to make good decisions.
Although electronics can be highly entertaining and beneficial in some ways, there is also a danger in them that could affect your lifespan. Researchers reveal that electronic devices such as cellphones are producing stress in those that use them. The stress causes the release of cortisol, which – when occurring often enough, affects your heart, brain, and other organs.
Staying Active Affects Your Mobility
Everyone is affected to some degree by their health and genetics. You cannot change it, but you can choose how much it will affect your activity. Although health problems may slow you down for a little while, you need to get as active as you can – as soon as you can. This will help you to stay mobile longer.
Check Yourself to Determine if You Are Slowing Down
As you get older, you want to watch yourself for decreasing mobility. If you notice that it is becoming more difficult to climb stairs or walk even short distances, you need to try to regain the same level of mobility as much as possible. Do not fall prey to thinking that it is a necessary part of aging.
If you have had health issues that slowed you down for a while, try to work back up to the speed you had before the injury. Remaining sedate is only going to increase your risk of getting ill – possibly with a terminal disease.
Your Independence Continues While You Remain Mobile
Having enjoyed being independent for much of your life, staying independent in your senior years depends on your ability to stay mobile. It will also help you maintain a good self-image and give you confidence that you can do what you need to do for daily life – and enjoy it. Once you stop being mobile, you become dependent on others to assist you more and more.
Get Into a Regular Exercise Program
Getting into an exercise program is one way to help stay mobile. You can exercise on your own or join various exercise programs for seniors at gyms, the local YMCA, senior centers – or just follow along with an online or TV program. If you have been rather sedate for some time, the sooner you get started the better. Exercising with others will help you stay socially active and will let you make new friends. Even just walking can keep you moving, as long as you do it briskly and for about 30 minutes a day – five days a week.