Health Benefits of the spring season for seniors

Springtime in Northeast Ohio is a time to lose the cabin fever by getting out of the house.

According to the National Institute on Aging there are many benefits for seniors to have an active lifestyle.

Research shows that adults with an active lifestyle are less likely to develop serious health issues, such as heart disease, stroke and dementia.

Sunlight is shining in the windows and the warm air is inviting you to get outside. The spring season is the perfect time to participate in activities that enrich your life and health. Activities that are mentally stimulating or involve physical activity have been shown to have a positive effect on memory, mental health and resilience.

Physical activity doesn’t need to be in the form of structured exercise and you don’t have to invest in a lot of equipment. Take a walk outside, many city parks and metro parks offer safe and accessible walking trails. Gardening and yard work are also a great form of physical activity and a good source of natural vitamin D. The repetitive motion of weeding, raking and digging exercises muscles.

For those more interested in formal exercise classes, there are many free or reasonably priced programs in this area. Check with your local hospitals, libraries, churches, and senior centers. Many offer senior-specific exercise classes.

Social and mental activities are also an important part of an active lifestyle; many opportunities are available in your community. The Internet is a good place to find activities such as these. For those not familiar with computers and technology, the public library has computers and frequently offers classes on how to use them.

Public libraries are also a place to find social activities on a range of subjects, of course they still have books too; reading is great for a stimulating mental activity.

The Lorain County Metro Parks have many programs for adults, the “Arrowhead” publication is available for free in many locations including libraries.

Spring in Ohio is welcoming seniors out again. It’s time to take advantage of the opportunity to care for your health and well-being. Be safe when getting out. Talk to your doctor about exercise if you have any chronic health conditions or haven’t exercised in a while. Make sure to wear sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses when out in the sunshine and drink plenty of water. Wear a mask if you attend a crowded event. Most of all have fun and enjoy yourself.