VOLUNTEER TO KEEP YOUR BODY AND MIND ACTIVE!
Sharing Your Time Can Become Your Favorite Exercise
Staying active is increasingly vital to our health as we age. But pain, injury, or the lack of an exercise location can limit how we keep fit. But luckily, there is an easy way to have an active lifestyle without lifting weights or joining a gym: volunteer! Here are three reasons volunteering can be your new favorite exercise if you’re looking to flex some physical, mental, or
Most organizations are happy to modify more strenuous activities (like lifting heavy boxes or walking up a steep hill) to fit your abilities. So, even if you’re just beginning an exercise habit, volunteering is a perfect initial step in your fitness journey. YOUR BRAIN EXPANDS. When you volunteer with others, you usually have a common goal, like feeding the community, cleaning up a park, or planting a garden. Joining others to accomplish a task provides a significant brain boost, and studies show camaraderie increases positive thoughts and feelings. On top of feeling better, volunteering keeps your mind agile.
By working hard to solve a problem, you’re using more neural pathways, which helps keep mental decline at bay. YOU FORM CONNECTIONS. As we mentioned earlier, when you show up to volunteer, others usually attend for the same reason. Socializing with the group can help you feel less isolated and more connected to others, and some of these people may even become friends when the job is complete. If you want to get active but don’t know of volunteer opportunities in your area, visit VolunteerMatch.org and enter your zip code to find local in-person options. Help yourself and others by making volunteer work your go-to exercise!
social “muscle.” IT MOVES YOU.
Volunteering offers different ways to move your body! Even small things like strolling through a park to pick up litter, navigating around a soup kitchen, or directing visitors at your local donation center keep you active.
PATIENT TESTIMONIALS Getting Confidence Back
“An excellent choice with a successful conclusion. I had my right hip replaced five years ago and needed to take care of the left one. Surgery was on Jan. 5, 2022, and I decided to go to Kinetic Physical Therapy to guide me through my 15-week recovery process. I
“I began working with Mandie shortly after I had replacement surgery on my right shoulder. She provided a variety of exercises and activities to ensure my sessions did not become repetitive and boring. She also gave me descriptive
instructions for at-home exercises to supplement my scheduled sessions with her. I am grateful for her help in restoring my abilities to their pre-surgical level.”
selected them based on my understanding they were highly competent with a very delightful staff. My therapist was Emilie, a delight to work with.”
–Bonnie Scherkenbach
–B.R. Weisner
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