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Keeping active is an important part of healthy living. But it can be challenging to keep active. Other things in your life can get in the way – family, your health, mobility issues and many other factors.

The good news is there are lots of ways to work around these potential distractions and deterrents. To help you keep fit, we’ve put together a great list of 7 tips to follow to keep active while living in a retirement residence:

Schedule activities

Life gets busy and it can be easy to skip activities. To make sure you maintain a healthy lifestyle you need to make being active a priority. You can do this by scheduling activities. Sign up for the classes, visit the fitness centre regularly and try to schedule some type of activity daily. Once activities become routine, they become part of your life and help you stay active.

Train your brain

Many overlook the importance of staying mentally active. It is just as important as staying physically active. There are many fun and engaging ways to challenge your mind – problem solving games, playing cards, reading, trivia and memory games. The great news is all of these can be done in alone or with other people at the retirement residence.

Get social

People crave comradery. It’s important to be social and engage with others. There are plenty of social activities you can do daily to keep busy. Go for coffee with some friends, volunteer on a committee, visit with family, and look for activities you can do in a group setting. Bingo, gardening, movie nights, and special interest clubs are a great way to be actively involved at the retirement residence. Even if you just meet with others to talk, it gives you something to look forward to.

Take an evening walk

Going for an evening walk is the perfect way to wrap up the day, decompress, and even catch up with some friends. How far you walk and how long you walk for is up to you. It’s a great activity to keep your heart strong and your body moving.

Go for a swim

Swimming is one of the best types of exercise for seniors. Its low impact, places minimal strain on your joints and provides you with all the benefits of other types of exercise. You will keep your muscles strong, burn fat, and it can help you overcome many physical health and mobility issues.

Get on a fitness program

Most retirement residences have a fitness and wellness centre. A regular visit to the centre is a great way to stay active and challenge yourself. If personal training services are available, get yourself on a fitness plan that meets your personal health goals.

Do what you love

If you have a passion for a particular activity, do it. Pursue the things you enjoy doing. It will bring you happiness, keep you busy and you will keep active without feeling like it’s a burden.

Staying active is important for your health. Use these tips to keep active and enhance your experience when living in a retirement residence.