It’s Health Aging Month! From the day we are born, we are aging. People all around the country celebrate and honor this month by incorporating habits like exercise, eating healthy foods, and getting adequate sleep into their daily routines. It is also an opportunity to encourage others to stay active and take positive steps towards improving both physical and mental health. If you are already participating in a healthy and active lifestyle – CONGRATULATIONS! Take this time to evaluate your activities and see if there is something additional you can do!
Pick an activity. Choose TODAY to make a change in your lifestyle. Choose something you enjoy – walking, gardening, or incorporating more water into your diet – and commit to it.
Did you know? Physical activity and exercise have TONS of benefits. Some of them include:
- Exercise stimulates the growth of new brain cells.
- It can help slow down the aging process.
- It can help make your skin healthier by clearing dead cells and debris from pores when you sweat during exercise.
Age is simply the number of years the world has been enjoying you!“
Unknown
Health Aging Month is a great time to remind ourselves (and others) to stay healthy. If you are unsure of where to start, consider a Functional Fitness Test. The assessment focuses on determining health and wellness strengths, as well as areas of opportunity.
What’s Assessed?
Upper Body Strength
Examples: Carrying Grandchildren or Groceries
Lower Body Strength
Example: Climbing the Stairs
Flexibility
Examples: Reaching the Top Shelf, Fixing Your Hair
Endurance
Examples: Walking Further, Playing with Grandchildren
Balance
Example: Fall Prevention
Cognition
Examples: Problem Solving, Remembering Things
Celebrate your health and wellness and encourage others to do the same. If you are unsure of where to start for your own fitness journey, or if you are interested in learning some additional areas of opportunity, reach out to your Functional Pathways Therapy Team!