Fall Fitness: Tips for Keeping Active as the Busy Holiday Season Rolls Around

It’s already the middle of October and this year the fall season is providing valley residents with some amazing weather. Fall is also an indication of all the upcoming holidays that tend to involve all kinds of treats and temptations. But with beautiful fall weather, there’s no excuse not to get outside and enjoy it with some fun physical activity to help keep those holiday temptations at bay.

Fellowship Square suggests some fall fitness tips to help seniors keep active as the hustle-bustle of the holidays approaches.

One of the best whole-body exercises and one of the easiest on the body itself is simply walking. It costs nothing and all and it can be done anywhere! Walking also offers a whole host of benefits for seniors beyond the physical health aspect. While walking can help seniors’ mobility, heart health, and more, it can also help seniors remain independent with their daily activities longer. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association, walking can also reduce stress and improve mood (as recently reported on www.USAtoday.com.) Crisp fall mornings and evenings are the perfect times to get in a good walk. An article on the Harvard Health Publishing website, recommends 150 minutes of walking per week. Remember to stretch before and after! 

Pickleball is one of the hottest sports out there right now, and it’s a great all-ages sport. Many local parks and community centers have both outdoor and indoor courts. Pickleball is similar to tennis but played on a court the size of a doubles badminton court. The rules of the game are easy to pick up, and it makes for a great social activity to do with friends, neighbors, and family. (Tip – for seniors that want to stay on their toes, invite the grandkids to play!)

Yoga is another wonderful sport that can be done inside or out, and practically anywhere with little to no equipment besides a yoga mat. Like walking, it’s a great sport for people of all ages and abilities. So even seniors just learning yoga and enjoy some incredible benefits of this practice for mind, body, and spirit. 

According to John Hopkins Medicine website, yoga helps alleviate back pain and arthritis symptoms; improves strength, balance, and flexibility; can “reduce levels of stress and body-wide inflammation, contributing to healthier hearts;” boosts moods; and improves sleep. Yoga studios abound and many offer pop-up style classes at outdoor venues around the valley so now is a great time to take advantage of those (sometimes free!) opportunities to get a little taste of the yoga experience. Seniors needn’t even join a class — some quick research can lead one to some great online tutorials. So grab a yoga mat, head outside, and take in a little Zen this fall!

As the holiday season approaches, staying fit and active is essential for seniors’ physical health as well as their mental state of mind. Physical activity is great for both body and mind, and it can even help seniors resist the temptation of too many holiday treats. Fellowship Square encourages seniors to take advantage of this beautiful weather and get outdoors to enjoy some fall fitness!