Staying active is one of the most important things we can do for our health and wellbeing, starting as children and through to our senior years. At Active Herefordshire and Worcestershire, we believe it's never too late for you to get active.
Exercise and physical activity can have many physical benefits including reducing our risk of major illnesses such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer, especially during our senior years. Keeping fit and active can also benefit our mental health and wellbeing, boosting self-esteem, mood, sleep quality and energy as well as reducing our risk of stress, depression, dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Staying active can also be a great way to meet new people, make friends and build social connections, helping to reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation.
How much physical activity or exercise should I do?
According to the Chief Medical Officer's guidelines, in order to benefit our health, we should be moving enough to raise our heart rate, breathe faster and feel warmer. To stay healthy, seniors (aged over 65) should aim to complete at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity per week. This could include walking, housework or gardening, bowls or many other activities. It doesn't have to be completed in one go either! You can break down your 150 minutes into 10-minute activity bouts throughout the day or week. In addition to completing 150 minutes, it is recommended for seniors to participate in activities to improve balance and coordination on at least two days per week.
