The Ageless Benefits of Yoga How Seniors Are Finding New Vitality For many seniors, maintaining an active lifestyle can be a challenge. Your
By holding poses and moving through sequences, yoga helps to lengthen and stretch muscles, increasing the range of motion and reducing stiffness. You’ll also build muscle strength, particularly in your core. Your balance and posture will improve, which will help lessen physical discomfort and reduce your risk of falls. In addition to physical benefits, yoga is also mentally stimulating. The practice of yoga can help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. By incorporating breathing techniques into their practice, seniors can improve cognitive function and memory. There’s also a social aspect involved. Many yoga studios offer classes specifically for seniors, which can provide a supportive and welcoming environment for everyone to practice together. It’s a great way to meet new people and have fun while staying active. There are advantages for people of all ages to practice yoga. If you’ve been interested in trying this activity for a while, now is the time to get out and get involved. You may be surprised by how much you enjoy it!
body might not be as flexible as it once was, and new pains or discomforts seem to appear out of nowhere as time passes. This change can be problematic and will require some adjustment on your part, especially if you’ve lived an active lifestyle. Thankfully, there are some activities you can do to help you stay
active, like yoga! You might think that yoga is just for young people, but that’s not the case at all! Yoga is a low-impact exercise that can be modified to suit a wide range of abilities, making it accessible to people of all ages. There is no expectation of perfection, as each individual is encouraged to listen to their own body and move at a comfortable pace. So even if you have health limitations or concerns, yoga is a safe and pleasant activity. Plus, you’ll gain a host of benefits from participating.
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How to Know if Your Supplements Are Helping
As we age, we tend to become more concerned about our health, and many people turn to dietary supplements. While over-the- counter supplements like vitamins are popular among all ages, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports they’re most common with women over 60. With over 80% of this group taking at least one supplement, it’s worth asking whether they’re safe and necessary. Experts suggest that many of the supplements we take serve little purpose. For example, most people who take multivitamins don’t have vitamin deficiencies and see little to no benefit. But evidence suggests that people are more likely to miss crucial nutrients as they age, often due to poor diet or low caloric intake. For example, our bodies have more trouble absorbing B12 in our golden years than when we’re younger. B12 is essential to our red blood cell production, and an inadequate supply can cause weakness and fatigue. We’re also likely to be deficient in B6 later in life, which is a problem for older adults in particular because it supports cognitive function. Adults over 60 also tend to consume less calcium, essential for strong bones. Meanwhile, vitamin D helps us absorb calcium. But
we produce vitamin D when exposed to sunlight, so those who spend more time indoors with age will likely have less vitamin D in their systems. And as with B12, we absorb magnesium less readily when we’re older, affecting our immune systems and heart health. But not everyone will develop vitamin deficiencies. Those who feel healthy, strong, and energetic are less likely to need supplements. Still, everyone should be on the lookout for telltale signs of insufficient nutrients. People with vitamin deficiencies often experience fatigue, loss of appetite, slow-healing wounds, and significant hair loss. Anyone with these symptoms should visit their doctor for guidance rather than immediately purchasing a supplement. While most supplements aren’t dangerous, some can pose health risks, particularly when combined with prescription medications. Your doctor can diagnose a vitamin deficiency and rule out a more serious condition. Most people taking supplements without a doctor’s guidance will be fine, but they could be wasting money. Remember that the recommendations you read in the news or suggestions from friends should be guidance only. Keep your doctor looped in on your health concerns so you can collaborate on the best approach.
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