April is National Move More Month as created by the American Heart Association (AHA). The goal is to get adults up and moving, which is vitally important for senior health.

Moving more is good for your body, mind, and heart. And it’s easier than you may think, just a matter mostly of developing good, healthy habits.

CDC Guidelines for Exercise

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have specific guidelines on the amount of exercise adults need. The CDC describes physical activity as anything that gets your body moving.

Each week adults need 150 minutes of moderate-intense physical activity. Adults also need two days of muscle strengthening activity.

For you, 150 minutes of physical activity may sound like a lot. Keep in mind that you don’t have to do it all at once. You could break it down into smaller chunks.

For example, five days of 30 minutes of activity can get you to that goal of 150 minutes of physical activity. You could even spread it out into smaller chunks if you want to do physical activity for 20 minutes a day for six days, then one day of 30 minutes of activity.

Why Get Moving?

In the U.S., 25% of adults sit for longer than eight hours a day. This may not be healthy for their body or mind.

Physical activity benefits you in many ways. These include:

  • Reduces stress
  • Lowers the risk of heart disease and stroke
  • Improves mental health
  • Lowers the risk of depression

The AHA also says moving and staying active helps your overall health. Studies show how higher fitness levels and liked to better attention, improved learning, better memory, and being able to solve problems. Not only that, studies show you can live longer.

Starting Small

The AHA recommends that if you are not active, begin moving with just five minutes of movement. You can build up from there, or split up the time during the day as you move toward a goal of 20 or 30 minutes of movement, or more.

Now that we’re in the spring weather season, it’s a great time to start moving by heading outside. The fresh air and sunlight — think vitamin D — will help you feel better and improve your physical health.

A CARING-FIRST ENVIRONMENT

Senior living communities like Regency at Augusta Assisted Living & Memory Care are precisely that—a community. Residents become friends and even family, and a caring team is there to help them maintain their quality of life. 

At Regency at Augusta, we offer both Assisted Living and Memory Care and we care with Honesty, Excellence, Accountability, Residents first and Teamwork. We like to call it Caring with H.E.A.R.T.™!

If you believe a senior living community would benefit your loved one, get in touch with us. Schedule a visit or download a brochure today!