At Westminster Communities of Florida, we believe that in order to be “well” you must consider the entire being: body, mind and spirit. We take this to heart, and offer residents and team members an active and engaging lifestyle inspired by eight dimensions of wellness including physical, lifelong learning, nutritional, social, emotional, spiritual, vocational and community.
In the coming weeks, we’ll be highlighting how you can take advantage of one of the eight dimensions of wellness to stay cool and active during the summer months. It’s no secret that Florida summers are hot, but with Westminster’s Eight Dimensions of Well-Being, the summer heat won’t stop your active lifestyle.
This week, we’re focusing on the physical dimension of well-being to help you beat the heat and stay active. From yoga and stretching to swimming and water aerobics, there are plenty of ways for seniors to stay cool, active and healthy indoors.
YOGA AND STRETCHING
Yoga has become increasingly popular among seniors in recent years, and for good reason. Not only can it help with physical health and fitness, but it can also be calming for the mind. Yoga is low-impact, making it an ideal exercise for those who are older or have limited mobility. It also helps to improve flexibility, balance, and muscle strength – essential components of a successful active senior lifestyle.
Stretching is an important complement to any form of exercise, especially for seniors. Regular stretching helps keep muscles flexible and strong which can reduce the risk of injury from falls or other activities that require strength or agility. This is especially true during hot summer months when outdoor temperatures can cause muscles to stiffen up more quickly than normal due to sweat loss or air conditioning use indoors.
To ensure safety, start slowly and don’t push yourself beyond what is comfortable—pain should not be part of any stretching regimen. Additionally, always warm up your muscles first by taking a few minutes to walk before starting your stretch routine since cold muscles are more likely to tear when stretched too far too quickly. When done correctly – both yoga and stretching can provide numerous mental and physical benefits for seniors looking to beat the heat this summer while staying healthy and fit.
SWIMMING AND WATER AEROBICS
Swimming and water aerobics for seniors can provide a great way to stay cool during the summer heat while still getting the physical exercise they need. Swimming is one of the best aerobic exercises available, as it works all major muscle groups while providing resistance that’s easy on joints. It also helps improve balance and coordination, making it an ideal exercise for seniors.
Water aerobics is another great option for seniors who want to stay active during hot summer days. This type of exercise can be done in a pool or even in a shallow body of water. It involves performing various movements that target key muscle groups while also providing resistance from the water itself.
Swimming and water aerobics provide senior citizens with an excellent way to beat the heat while still staying physically active during hot summer months in Florida. With proper instruction and guidance, anyone can stay fit during the warmest days with these two simple but effective forms of exercise.
GROUP EXERCISE CLASSES AND DANCING
Group exercise classes and dancing are great ways for seniors to stay cool while getting a good physical workout. Group exercise classes are available at our Life Plan Communities, but can also be found at many community centers, YMCAs, or senior centers. These classes provide an opportunity for older adults to engage with their peers in a safe setting and can be tailored to any fitness level.
In addition to group exercise classes, there are also options for seniors who want to beat the heat with some dancing. Line dancing is an especially popular option as it allows elderly participants to dance without too much strain on their joints. Line dancing also provides the opportunity for seniors of all ability levels to join in and have fun while getting active. Other forms of dance, such as salsa or ballroom dancing can also be beneficial for those looking for a more challenging form of movement. These dances require more coordination than line dancing but still provide the same benefits such as improved balance and agility as well as social interaction with other dancers.
Not only will these activities help keep you physically healthy but they’ll also give you an opportunity to enjoy yourself socially in a safe environment. So don’t let the heat stop you from staying active this summer – get moving indoors!
LIGHT WEIGHT TRAINING
Light weight training uses light weights or resistance bands to target key muscle groups to increase strength, improve balance and flexibility, and reduce the risk of falling. Light weight training can be done at home with minimal equipment, or seniors can join group classes at their community or local senior center.
When engaging in light weight training, it’s important for seniors to use light weights that are easy on their joints. Movements like bicep curls, triceps extensions, shoulder presses, squats and lunges are all great exercises that target different muscle groups while being gentle on the body. It’s also important to focus on proper form when doing these exercises so as not to put too much strain on the body or risk injury.
It’s also beneficial for older adults to include cardiovascular activity such as walking or jogging into their routine along with light weight training. This helps them maintain a healthy heart rate while increasing aerobic capacity and overall fitness level.
Overall, light weight training is an excellent form of low-impact exercise that can help keep seniors cool during the summer months while providing them with numerous health benefits including increased strength and balance as well as improved cognitive function.
Florida summers can be intense, but that doesn’t have to stop seniors from staying active and healthy. With Westminster’s Eight Dimensions of Well-Being, seniors can beat the heat and stay fit with activities from low-impact yoga poses to challenging dance moves. There are plenty of ways for seniors to stay cool and active this summer, so don’t let the heat stop you from staying healthy and fit. Get moving indoors with Westminster’s 8 Dimensions of Well-Being!
