Exercise is great for:
Improving your sleep – and the knock-on effect of feeling more rested with improved overall mood. You can read more about sleep and the benefits of exercise here <link to Susan Sleep> but if you can exercise outdoors – and exercise in the morning – you’ll feel a whole host of benefits.
Keeping you flexible. This means you’ll have an easier job with everyday tasks like getting in and out of the bath, getting up from sitting, bending down to do up your shoes etc.
Improving your strength. We all experience a loss of muscle as we age, so anything you can do to help with that will also improve bone strength, which means you’re less likely to experience fractures if you happen to fall.
Boosting your social life. If you can find a form of exercise that you can do with others, so much the better – you’ll tick more than one box if you can socialise, have fun and improve your fitness levels. Find out more about socialising with dementia here <link to Friends> and find what’s on in your area here <Link to What’s on>
Lifting your mood. If you feel great in your body, you’ll feel better in your mind. Movement is key to overall wellbeing for all, including people living with dementia. If you chose to exercise outside in the fresh air, so much the better.
Keeping you healthy. Exercise improves heart health and circulation and reduces the risk of obesity and the diseases that come with it. It also helps prevent certain cancers, diabetes, osteoarthritis and depression.
Helping with spatial awareness and other cognitive skills and could even help reduce the risk of falls and accidents
Be sensible
According to the NHS we should be active every day and doing some form of exercise for a minimum of two and a half hours a week. If you’re over 65, it’s recommended that you do something that improves strength and flexibility at least twice a week. In summary, reduce the amount of time you spend sitting down, even if that means walking to the shops rather than driving, doing your own gardening or a spot of vigorous housework.
If you’ve never exercised before, don’t go full pelt into training for a marathon. Take it at a steady pace and be aware of your body. If in doubt, speak to your doctor or a health professional before starting a new activity. Watch out for dizziness, feeling faint or any areas of pain.
Great exercise ideas
Ideally, you should be exercising in a way that improves heart health, makes you strong and improves your flexibility and balance. But the best type of exercise is the one you enjoy and want to do regularly.
One of easiest ways to exercise is to walk – and if you can do that with others and in a park or other natural environment, you’ll see greater rewards.
Here are some other ideas:
Yoga
Pilates
Tai Chi
Working out with weights or resistance bands
Exercise using your body weight – push-ups and sit-ups etc
Gardening – digging etc
Running
Football
Tennis and other racquet sports
Dancing
Aerobics
Cycling
Hiking
Swimming
Golf
You can find a full list of exercise types and their benefits on the NHS website here including a set of videos which show you how you can exercise at home.
You can also find ideas for activities and exercise groups in your local area here <Link to what’s on>
Exercising with mobility issues
Even if you’re not able to move easily, you can still find ways to exercise and enjoy the benefits it brings. You’ll find some seated exercises that aim to improve strength, balance and flexibility on the NHS website here
But speak to your doctor or other relevant healthcare professional before you start.
Read more about the benefits of exercise here
Find out what’s on in your area here
Join the conversation about exercise