It’s no secret: January is the month of resolutions. According to experts, people aged 50 and above should opt for this resolution in order to live longer.
The Best New Year’s Resolution for People Aged 50 and Over is to be as active as possibleaccording to Dr. Sonja Rosen. “If you want to take a step forward to live as long and healthy as possible, this is the goal to achieve“insists the geriatrician and medical director of the geriatrics department at Cedars-Sinai to the site Parade. Advice also shared by his colleague, Dr. Richard W. Besdine, professor of medicine in the division of geriatrics and palliative medicine at the Alpert School of Medicine at Brown University. “Be more physically active!”he recommends.
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There are several reasons why both experts say that being physically active is the best resolution that people aged 50 and over can make for their health. Dr. Besdine explains that physical activity benefits both the heart and the brain, reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and dementia. Remember that in the United States, the leading cause of death is linked to heart disease.
Regular physical activity helps maintain balance and reduces the risk of Alzheimer’s
Dr. Richard W. Besdine explained to the site Parade that physical exercise increases blood flow to the brain, which protects against plaque buildup. Plaque buildup in the brain is linked to dementia, so regular exercise is an effective way to protect against it. Scientific research has shown that even light to moderate exercise can reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
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In addition to these benefits for the heart and brain, the two doctors say thatregular physical activity helps maintain balance, reduces the risk of falling and works wonders for mental health. “Exercise reduces falls by up to 39% and produces natural endorphins that help fight depression”emphasized Dr. Rosen.
“Exercising in a group class is a great way to get in shape” according to the expert
Above all, you need to find the physical activity that really suits you. If you don’t enjoy running, try dancing, swimming or even kickboxing. Dr. Rosen advises signing up for group fitness classes. “Exercising in a group class or even online is a great way to get fit and socialize at the same time.” Both doctors also say that committing to a daily walk is a great goal to start with. Scientific research shows that walking 6,000 steps a day is linked to a longer life expectancy. “If you are 70 or older, walking 150 minutes a week or 30 minutes five days a week reduces the risk of heart disease, diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease“explains Dr. Besdine.
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Both doctors emphasize that any physical activity is better than nothing. If walking 30 minutes a day is out of reach, it’s possible to start with just 10 minutes. The goal is to increase your goal over time as the body adapts.
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