7 Reasons Yoga Can Benefit Seniors
September is National Yoga month, making it a great time to incorporate this form of exercise as a part of your healthy lifestyle. If images of participants twisted into human pretzels have you feeling a little hesitant, don’t worry. Yoga can be modified to be safe and comfortable for anyone. You can even perform some poses in a chair!
Yoga is actually an excellent form of exercise for seniors. It’s low impact, and it provides many benefits that can help to keep you healthy and happy as you age.
7 Benefits of Yoga for Seniors
1. It promotes a healthy heart.
Practicing yoga regularly has several benefits for your heart. It can improve your heart rate and circulation. It may also contribute to lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels and can thus help those who have experienced a heart attack or cardiac arrest.
2. It’s good for your joints.
Yoga improves range of motion, so it’s a great way to keep your joints moving. It has even been shown to offer some relief for people suffering from arthritis.
3. It can lessen your risk of falling.
Yoga increases your core strength and also improves balance – both of which are major factors in preventing a fall.
4. It sharpens your mind.
Yoga can help to improve your memory. A recent study found that yoga and meditation help to minimize cognitive and emotional problems that often precede Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.
5. It lowers anxiety.
Practicing yoga can contribute to an overall sense of well-being. Yoga is associated with increased levels of GABA. This neurotransmitter boosts mood and can have a calming effect on the nervous system.
6. It can help you sleep better.
Many people find that they enjoy a better night’s sleep when they practice yoga, especially if stress or anxiety are contributing to their insomnia. Incorporating some simple stretches or breathing exercises into your bedtime routine can help you to focus on the moment instead of worrying about things that happened during the day or that might happen in the future.
7. It can improve your social life
Staying socially connected is so important for our health. Taking a senior yoga class can help you to have meaningful social interactions that could eventually blossom into friendships.
Before you give yoga a try, make sure to check with your doctor, especially if you have chronic health conditions or haven’t exercised in a while.
Visit the Davis Community’s Assisted Living and SNF in Wilmington NC
If you or loved one are no longer capable of living a safe, independent lifestyle, then call the Davis Community today at 910.686.7195 or simply complete and submit our online information request form. We provide exceptional assisted living and skilled nursing services in Wilmington, NC. We offer a strong and supportive environment where your loved one will feel welcomed and part of an active community. Davis Community is pleased to offer customized concierge home care services, including meal preparation and nutritional guidance, to independent seniors living in Landfall, Cambridge Village, Wrightsville Beach and Porter’s Neck, NC. Get to know the difference today — schedule a visit to the Davis Community!