Indoor Walking Benefits for Seniors in Asheboro, NC
Indoor walking can help seniors improve their physical and mental health while remaining in a safe environment. It is also a great way to get exercise when the weather forces you to stay inside your home in Asheboro, NC, only a 30-minute drive from Greensboro.
With 28% of seniors over the age of 50 being physically inactive, it's important to find achievable ways to get exercise.
To further convince you, we've put together this guide so you can learn more about the benefits of walking indoors, along with a few tips on how to get started. Keep reading to find out more!
Controlled Environment
One of the major problems with walking outside is that you can't control the environment. The weather might be too hot or too cold. The path could have lots of potholes or uneven paving.
When you walk indoors, you eliminate these chaotic possibilities.
You'll know the path is clear and even, whether you walk down the hallways or in your senior apartments. Plus, the weather won't touch you because you'll be walking indoors safely.
Improved Physical Health
Walking indoors can be enough to improve your assisted living fitness and help you reach physical health goals. With regular walking, you'll gain the physical benefits of:
- Strengthening your muscles
- Burning calories
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Improving your lung function
- Strengthening your heart
- Improving your balance
- Lowering your cholesterol levels
- Improving your immune system
All of these benefits can lead to an overall healthier and happier life during retirement.
The good news is that even a short walk two or three times a week can be enough to improve your physical health. Even those with mobility issues can work toward their indoor walking goal.
Improved Mental Health
Although the physical benefits often take the forefront, this doesn't mean you should ignore the mental health benefits of walking indoors. When you maintain a regular schedule of walking, you'll benefit from:
- Reduced stress levels
- Reduced anxiety
- Improved concentration
- Enhanced alertness
- Improved confidence
- Strengthened cognitive function
When you look at both the physical and mental health benefits of walking indoors, it's easy to see that it's something all seniors should include in their schedule.
Reduced Risks
When you choose to walk inside, the controlled environment means there are fewer risks involved.
The indoor path you walk will be far less likely to have something in the way that could trip you. The lighting will be bright and clear, so you will never walk into something unexpected.
These may seem minor benefits, but they make a huge difference in your overall safety. With a reduced risk of falling, you can step with utmost confidence and even quicken your pace more than if you were outdoors.
Not only does this mean you'll feel better about the exercise, but you'll also have the potential to reach your goals faster.
Quicker Emergency Assistance
Even with tripping hazards out of the way, emergencies can still happen when we least expect them. When you walk indoors, it can be much easier to get the attention of someone else in the community or a care staff member. A phone is more likely to be nearby than if you were at a park outdoors.
With this, you'll get access to emergency services and receive the help you need more quickly.
No one should ever feel unsafe, especially when working on health goals. By walking indoors, you'll have a bigger safety net around you that can assist you if necessary.
Daily Movement Tips
Staying active as we age is never a simple task, no matter how accessible indoor walking can be. To help you meet your daily movement goals, we suggest the following:
- Start slow and increase difficulty as you grow stronger
- Remember to take breaks when necessary
- Make walking fun by bringing friends or listening to music
- Drink plenty of water before and after your walk
- Wear non-slip shoes that are comfortable and breathable
- Create achievable and realistic goals
- Celebrate health improvement milestones
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Walking Indoors Effective?
Any kind of low-impact activity for seniors can be effective as long as you do it regularly. You'll get all of the benefits of physical activity without putting too much stress on your joints.
Being indoors means you can take a dedicated walk whenever you want. A rainstorm or an ice-covered sidewalk won't ever stop you from getting your daily exercise again.
Can I Lose Weight By Doing Indoor Walking?
Definitely. If losing weight is your goal, indoor walking can play a pivotal role in reaching that objective.
Remember to consider your diet for even better health gains. Otherwise, simply going for a walk every day can still show improvements in your weight. It's all about finding a maintainable balance.
How Long Should an Indoor Walk Be?
Try to aim for at least ten minutes per walk. It's a good foundation for better memory care mobility. You'll likely be able to go on longer walks the more consistently you exercise.
You can always increase the difficulty to suit your physical capabilities, or go on more walks each day to improve your health even more.
The main thing to keep in mind is that you shouldn't push yourself too hard, or else you may end up with an injury that could undo your hard work.
Is Walking Every Day Enough Exercise?
A good rule of thumb for seniors is to strive for 150 minutes of exercise each week. It doesn't matter how you spread it throughout the week as long as you get to that minimum number.
Getting into the habit of walking every day, however, can make keeping on track much easier.
Achieve a Healthier Lifestyle With TerraBella Ashboro
If you're looking to start indoor walking, we'd love to help you get started. A supportive and encouraging senior community can be the motivation you need to stay on track.
TerraBella Ashboro can be the right choice for your retirement if you're looking for a senior community that supports and assists you with your health goals. We create personalized care plans for every resident so your individuality never gets lost. Our caring staff is friendly, adaptable, and willing to work with you every step of the way.
Schedule a tour with us and see our homey community for yourself!