Seniors typically have a number of complications, such as pain, joint stress, osteoarthritis, and other physical limitations. This is why the elderly can benefit from incorporating a yoga practice into their daily or weekly routine.
Benefits and Downfalls of Growing Older
Although getting older does present many gifts, such as maturity, grace, experience, and perspective it can come with many challenges as well.
Physically, it becomes harder to keep extra weight off with over one third of adults 65 and older are obese.
Risk of life-threatening illnesses, such as:
- Diabetes
- Cardiovascular disease
- Cancer
- Joint stress
- Osteoarthritis
Seniors experience higher rates of depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders. Memory can fail, balance can be compromised, and a sense of self can suffer as a result. Not to mention the number of people with Alzheimer’s disease doubles every five years after age 65.
The good news is as a senior, there’s so much you can do to boost your overall health and well-being, such as:
- Healthy eating
- exercising
- meditation
- brain training exercises
Yoga In Senior’s Daily Routine
Yoga, especially restorative yoga, can also offer a wide array of health benefits—working physical and psychological wonders. Seniors, who often struggle with pain, joint stress, imbalance, osteoarthritis, and other physical limitations, can benefit from incorporating a yoga practice into their daily routine.
Here are just four of the many benefits of a daily yoga practice for seniors.
1. Improving Movement and Balance
Most yoga poses put an emphasis on harmony and balance, both of which are incredibly important as you age. Strengthening your muscles and balance will reduce the risk of falling, which is a common concern for elderly people. Not only does it prevent them in the first place, but an increase in strength and stability also helps seniors bounce back and recover, should a fall occur.
2. Benefiting Joint Health
Yoga is a great option if you’re looking for a gentle exercise that improves flexibility. Exercises like yoga are perfect if your joints appear to be rigid or achy. Researchers found that it had therapeutic benefits in a study that looked at the effectiveness of yoga as an activity to treat osteoarthritis in elderly women.
Not only can these low-impact moves loosen your muscles, they can also tone your supporting muscles and help prevent injury.
3. Respiratory Health Increased
Breathing problems and decreased resistance to physical exertion come with age. Anything in the respiratory system that decreases oxygen can have harmful effects on the body and mind. Recent studies have shown that in elderly women, a 12-week yoga program significantly improved breathing ability.
Breathing is the foundation of life. Some can go weeks without food, but you can’t go without oxygen for more than a few minutes, so keeping the respiratory system in tip-top shape at any age is a good idea.
4. Reducing High Blood Pressure
Hypertension can lead to cardiovascular disease and is the second leading cause of kidney disease. Recent studies have found that yoga reduces oxidative stress in seniors. Oxidative stress is one of the underlying causes of high blood pressure and is a major risk factor for heart attacks.
Reno Valley Assisted Living and Retirement Community
Reno Valley is an assisted living and retirement community that makes living independently, while at the same time feeling safe and secure, a reality. We strive to provide the best quality of life for all residents including those suffering from loneliness and depression.
We offer a comprehensive activity program that includes both physical and social activities to encourage emotional well-being. Our staff is trained to assist those with depression. If you or a loved one are considering assisted living, contact Reno Valley today to learn more about our services or tour our community.
