10 Social Activities For Seniors To Staying Active and Healthy

It's important for everyone and especially for seniors to remain physically active on a regular basis. When senior citizens are active it slows the aging process, it stimulates the brain, keep their muscles mobile and keep many chronic illnesses at bay.

Listed are 10 engaging activities for seniors that can be done indoors or outdoors and year round.

Golfing - Whether it's on an 18-hole golf course or pitch and putt, most times golfing require hand-eye coordination, thinking and a lot of walking.

Bowling - Indoor bowling or outdoor lawn bowling contributes to balance, coordination and motor skills. It is enjoyed by all ages and abilities. It's a great sport for seniors and their families and friends to get together.

Swimming - Seniors can stay fit with water aerobics as it's easier on the joints. It increases the metabolism and improves cardiovascular health. Other benefits of water aerobics include strength, flexibility and agility. Swimming is a good, full body workout.

Racquet Sports - There are many sport activities that involve using a racquet like badminton, table tennis, tennis, racquetball and squash. Although racquetball and squash are more vigorous activities, there shouldn't be any problems if you have played regularly in the past and are in good health. All racquet sports require skills, techniques, coordination, strength, speed and strategic thinking.

Senior Softball - Playing softball is a fun social sport activity for seniors. Whether it's played competitively or for leisure, it promotes muscular strengthening, hand-eye coordination and endurance.

Dancing - There are different types of dancing from ballroom dancing to line dancing and square dancing and the benefits are huge. It can lower high blood pressure, control diabetes, control cholesterol levels, maintain stress levels and weight maintenance.

Walking - There are senior walking groups who meet up in parks or shopping malls. All that is required is dressing appropriately for the weather and a good pair of walking shoes.

Biking - Regular bike riding can reduce arthritis pain, hypertension and depression in seniors. There is low impact on the joints so this makes for an ideal activity indoors and outdoors.

Tai Chi - Seniors who practice tai chi often feel refreshed and invigorated. It focuses on the mind and body. It improves balance and mobility, flexibility, calms the mind, and relieves stress and decrease hypertension.

Gardening - It's a good form of physical activity. It's known to be therapeutic, helps prevent osteoporosis, and promotes relaxation and stimulation. It requires the use of all motor skills like walking, bending, reaching and sometimes digging and pulling.

These activities are free or low cost and can be found through your local community. To prevent injuries, seniors should warm up before participating in any intense activities. Active seniors who regularly enjoy a variety of activities overall feel more vibrant and healthy and lead a more enriched and fulfilling life.

Article Source: http://www.wahm-articles.com

S McIntyre owns HealthyPerspectives.blogspot.com, featuring an array of health topics, alternative medicines, nutrition, fitness and recipes for maintaining a healthy and well-balanced lifestyle. For more information and discussion on healthy living join Sophia on the forums.

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