Exercise Classes for Seniors: How Group Movement Eases Anxiety
Group exercise classes for seniors can help ease anxiety by triggering the release of stress-busting endorphins. They're chemicals that the body produces and serve as natural stress and pain relievers.
Exercise classes in groups can also give aging adults a sense of community. When seniors feel that they belong, it can help them combat isolation and loneliness.
Anxiety relief for seniors is especially vital in promoting healthy aging, given that this mental health condition is common. According to WebMD, anxiety disorders affect around 10% to 20% of older adults.
At TerraBella Asheboro, our senior living community in the beautiful city of Asheboro, NC, known for its historic downtown and vibrant arts and culture, we recognize the connection between movement and mood. Here, residents enjoy senior fitness classes as part of our robust calendar of daily activities.
What Is the Best Exercise Program for Seniors?
The best exercise program for seniors is a combination of aerobic activity and those that help strengthen muscles and improve balance. As the National Institute on Aging points out, research has found that it's vital to get all three types of exercise to stay healthy.
Aerobic Activity
Aerobic activity is a type of physical activity that uses large muscle groups. It results in the following effects for a sustained period:
- Increased heart rate
- Faster breathing rate
- Increased use of oxygen to create energy
Muscle-Strengthening Exercises
Muscle-strengthening exercises are activities that build muscle strength by incorporating resistance. They're especially beneficial to seniors, given that aging causes muscle loss and deterioration.
According to a post by the United States Department of Agriculture, after the age of 35, the rate at which people lose muscle mass and strength is 0.5% to 1% and 1% to 2% yearly, respectively. Because of these losses, nearly four in ten (39%) adults 65 and older struggle with climbing stairs or walking.
Balance Exercises
Balance exercises are physical activities that can help seniors improve their ability to stay stable on their feet and maintain an upright position. They also aim to enhance coordination.
Done regularly, balance exercises can help boost overall mobility and may even minimize older adults' risk of falls.
What Is the Number One Exercise for Seniors?
There's no single "best" exercise for seniors, because, as mentioned above, the ideal fitness routine combines aerobic and muscle-strengthening activities.
Older adults also have varying needs, capacities, and interests. For instance, while running can be an excellent exercise, not all seniors still have the ability to engage in it.
Rather than focusing on a single exercise, seniors should incorporate and enjoy various wellness activities and exercises, such as:
- Aerobic activity: Walking, dancing, swimming, water aerobics, and light jogging
- Muscle-strengthening exercises: Resistance training using bands or light weights, tai chi, pilates, and yoga
- Balance exercises: Single-leg stand, heel-to-toe walking, and sit-to-stand exercises
How Do Group Exercise Classes for Seniors Help With Anxiety?
Exercise itself can already help seniors bust stress and anxiety, considering that one of its physiological effects is the release of endorphins. However, doing it in the company of others can increase its potential positive effects, particularly in terms of mental well-being and socialization.
Endorphins and Anxiety
Mayo Clinic explains that physical activity may "pump up" endorphin production. Endorphins, which are the brain's "feel-good" hormones or neurotransmitters, reduce sensations of pain while increasing feelings of happiness.
At the same time, endorphins can help the body react better to stress. In doing so, it can help minimize the negative impact of stress on seniors while bringing positive effects to the:
- Heart
- Blood vessels
- Digestive system
- Immune system
Like physical activity, socialization also triggers the release of endorphins.
Positive interactions with others can, therefore, help seniors make even more out of their fitness regimen and healthy routines. For example, they can have fun moving with fellow TerraBella Asheboro residents, which also lets them get social support through exercise.
A Sense of Belonging and Community
Group exercise and mental health go hand in hand because the addition of social aspects can increase motivation and enjoyment among seniors. Older adults can enjoy the company of and support others, which can help further reduce stress and combat loneliness.
Because they're in "teams," group exercise classes for seniors also foster a sense of community and belonging. They reinforce feelings of connection, which can give older adults even more things to look forward to, such as staying active and fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Kind of Group Exercise Classes for Seniors Does TerraBella Asheboro Organize?
At TerraBella Asheboro, our assisted living and memory care community in Asheboro, NC, we offer residents a dynamic calendar of daily activities and events, many of which are fun exercise classes in groups.
Morning jumping jacks, walking clubs, and garden walks are some examples. We also routinely organize evening strolls and chair (seated) exercises.
We're also proud of our community's Dimensions Health & Wellness program. It's a senior-specific program that consists of scheduled classes for cardio, balance training, and stretching activities.
How Much Exercise Should Seniors Get?
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week. Seniors can break this down to 5 days of 30-minute activity sessions.
Seniors can also opt for a weekly 75-minute exercise regimen of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical exercise. They can, for instance, run or jog three times weekly for 25 minutes each.
As for muscle-strengthening activities and balance exercises, seniors should aim to engage in them at least twice a week.
TerraBella Asheboro: Making Exercise Fun for Seniors
Group exercise classes for seniors can help with anxiety by triggering feel-good hormones, easing stress, improving physical and mental wellness, and instilling a sense of belonging, community, and camaraderie.
At TerraBella Asheboro, we understand all those potential benefits of group fitness classes, so we work hard to develop wellness programs specifically designed and tailored for seniors. We also offer residents nutritious gourmet meals, maintenance-free living, and on-site amenities like a salon and barber, a library, and live entertainment.
If all that sounds like your dream community, we encourage you to visit us today. Call our friendly team, and we'll be happy to arrange your tour of our pet-friendly retirement village in Asheboro, NC!