It’s difficult for anyone to stay in a good mood all the time. As you age, it becomes even more difficult.
Lifestyle changes may be depressing to some seniors – the loss of loved ones and friends and loss of some independence once enjoyed can pull down the mood of even the strongest people.
As you age, it becomes even more important to maintain an active lifestyle to help keep depression at bay.
When you exercise regularly, you’re energizing your body and mind and also helping to keep your enthusiasm for life.
Even if you can’t engage in strenuous exercises such as running, there are ways to keep active and boost your fitness – and your mood.
Adding some simple movements to your daily routine can relieve the stress that often comes when you begin to age. It can improve your self-confidence and your overall well-being and you can make it fun so that you look forward to it each day.
Regular exercise combined with strength training also helps you to feel and look younger and maintain your independence by remaining active for a longer period of time. That, in itself, should boost your mood.
Never think you’re too old or frail to exercise. There may be health issues in your life which make you believe that exercise may cause injury or you might fall. But, movements such as walking, raising your arms above your head, lifting your legs while you?re sitting and deep breathing exercises can be highly beneficial to both your body and mind.
You’ll also gain more self-confidence in your abilities as you increase mobility, balance and flexibility. When your strength and posture improves with exercise, your coordination will improve and you’ll be helping yourself to relieve the symptoms of such conditions as arthritis and osteoporosis.
Another way that exercise can help your mood is by improving the quality of sleep. Many think that experiencing poor sleep patterns is an inevitable part of aging, but that’s a myth.
Sleep is vitally important to your overall health and exercise usually improves those sleep patterns, helping you fall asleep without aid of sleeping pills – plus, you’ll sleep more deeply and waken fully rested.
You’ve likely heard of those wonderful little endorphins which are produced in the brain when you exercise. They help reduce feelings of depression and sadness and make you feel more energetic. The least amount of exercise can be a natural remedy for low mood swings and feelings of helplessness.
Talk to your health care provider before embarking on any exercise program. Also, take inconsideration drugs you may be taking which could cause dizziness and make you fall. When you figure out what you can reasonably do, plan an exercise program and get moving to be happier and healthier.
