Does a particular movement of your body trigger pain or difficulty? Do you have trouble reaching for things on high shelves or bending down to tie your shoelaces? If you answered “yes” to any of these, a lack of flexibility might be the main culprit. While we are aware of the importance of physical activity in the pursuit of healthy aging, an often neglected aspect of physical activity is the development and maintenance of flexibility. Read on to find out why flexibility is important at your age and how you can improve it!
Flexibility and Daily Life
When people mention flexibility, they are often referring to our body’s ability to move through its full range of motion. As we age, our bodies naturally lose elasticity, muscle tone, and bone density. Our tendons get stiffer and we feel an overall loss in our flexibility.
Do you find yourself living a sedentary lifestyle? If so, it might be time to get up and move. As our mobility starts to decline with age, it becomes even more important that we reverse the decline and lessen the pain.
Benefits of Flexibility
Why is it important to maintain our flexibility? The most important reason is so that we can perform our daily activities without hindrance. As a part of healthy aging, we want to decrease the risk of bodily injuries. With better flexibility, we have better balance and posture, which also helps to decrease the risk of falling, fractures, muscle strains, and other nasty injuries.
If you experience chronic pain, working on your flexibility can also help to reduce pain. Those with back issues or arthritis can benefit from a regular stretching routine. Moreover, improved flexibility can also contribute to a more youthful appearance! You can look forward to looking and feeling good when you develop your flexibility.
How to Improve Your Flexibility
When starting a new flexibility routine, you want to start slow. Pick out a few stretching moves that you want to work on and try gentle variations! As you work on stretching, go slow and practice deliberate movements while listening to your body. Remember, we want to avoid intense pain or discomfort when stretching.
Before you practice a deep stretch, you want to focus on warming up your body. Take a gentle stroll around the block, or walk in place for about five minutes. This movement will warm up your muscles and joints, preparing your body for stretching.
As you stretch, remember to keep a steady and slow breathing rhythm. The process should be an enjoyable one that you can stay consistent at. As with all types of physical exercise, be aware of how you are feeling and the impact that it has on your body.
TerraBella Southport
Here at TerraBella Southport, we understand the importance of happy and healthy aging. Our senior living retirement community offers the best in senior living, with exclusive programs and stylish amenities for our residents to enjoy. Come explore TerraBella Southport for yourself and see how we can help you achieve the retirement of your dreams!
To learn more about living in TerraBella Southport, contact us today or schedule a tour to see what we have to offer.
