Improving
your overall physical health is just one reason to stay fit as you age.
Emmet Pierce • September
24, 2019
Staying physically fit
after age 50 will help improve your health as you age, of course. But it can
also benefit your body, mind and wallet in ways you might not realize.
For example, Suzette Pereira, a
research scientist specializing in muscle health and aging, tells Money Talks
News that maintaining muscle health can also help improve energy levels,
decrease the risk of fractures and speed up recovery from illnesses.
Following are powerful
potential benefits of staying in shape after turning 50 that you might not have
considered.
Just remember to visit your
doctor for a checkup before beginning a fitness program, and ease into any
exercise routine to avoid injuries.
1.
Thinking more clearly
In addition to building
muscles, exercise can help improve brain function.
“Generally, exercise has
been shown to improve mood and sleep and reduce stress and anxiety, all of
which can indirectly help with overall cognitive function,” says Pereira, who
works at Abbott Laboratories, a manufacturer of medical devices and nutrition
products.
2.
Spending less on medical care
The average retiree
household spends $6,700 a year on health care. But
sticking to a regular exercise regimen can improve your health, meaning you may
be able to spend less time and money at the doctor’s office.
According to the Mayo Clinic, the
well-known academic medical center based in Rochester, Minnesota, regular
exercise helps prevent or manage a wide range of health problems. They include:
·
Stroke
·
High blood pressure
·
Depression
·
Many types of cancer
3.
Saving money on life insurance
If you can stay fit, you
also may save money on life insurance, since underwriters generally base policy
costs on your risk of death.
Being overweight, for
example, can result in higher rates. Maintaining a healthy weight and strong
vital signs could reduce your rate.
In 2018, John Hancock,
one of the largest life insurance companies in North America, announced it
would sell only policies that involve using wearable devices and smartphones to
track a policyholder’s fitness and health data, Reuters reported.
4.
Feeling happier
There is a strong
connection between physical fitness and happiness. In addition to boosting your
energy, exercise can elevate your mood.
Physical activity
stimulates brain chemicals that can make you feel more relaxed and less
anxious, the Mayo Clinic reports.
As a bonus, you may feel better about your appearance, raising your
self-esteem.
5.
Reducing the loss of muscle and bone mass
With regular strength
training, women can reduce the loss of bone and muscle mass that occurs as they
age, according to the national Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention.
The age-related loss of
muscle and bone mass is more pronounced in women than men, with menopause
accelerating this decline. Weight-based exercises are particularly helpful in
combating these conditions, which can compromise a woman’s ability to perform
daily activities.
The phrase “use it or
lose it” is correct when it comes to maintaining strong bones, muscles and
joints, personal trainer and ballroom dancer Leon Turetsky tells
Money Talks News.
6.
Maintaining independence
According to the National Council on Aging,
regular exercise can help older adults remain independent.
Certain types of
exercise, such as tai chi, can even reduce your risk of falls — which the NCOA says are
the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries among older adults.
7.
Living longer
Aerobic fitness is a
powerful indicator of long-term mortality, and the more aerobic exercise you
do, the greater the benefit.
Just three hours a week
of regular exercise may potentially extend life by as much as five years,
according to the University of Southern California’s
Leonard Davis School of Gerontology.
On the other hand, not
exercising creates a risk of premature death that’s equal to or worse than
cardiovascular disease, diabetes or smoking, according to a study published
last year in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Have you started or continued
an exercise program after age 50? Share your experience or thoughts with us by
commenting below or on our Facebook page.
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