It’s almost summer time, and that means that’ families all over the country are getting ready for vacations, heading to the beach, or otherwise hanging out by pools or bodies of water. But for many, especially older folk with disabilities, the idea of getting in the water can be a little intimidating.
It doesn’t need to be, though. In fact, water can be a great opportunity for relaxation and exercise for people of all ages. Here are a few ideas to help get you started.
Swimming
Swimming can be a vigorous type of exercise. It provides great strength and flexibility training, along with all of the benefits of aerobic exercise. It’s good for the muscles, it’s low impact, and it helps build lung and heart strength.
Water Aerobics
Movement is a little bit harder in the water, whether you’re in a pool or a natural body of water. Moving your arms and legs on land only sees air as resistance (unless you’re doing weight training), but under water, you are moving through the water itself, creating a natural resistance, like a very small amount of weight would provide. This resistance is everywhere underwater, allowing for a more natural method of building and maintaining muscle than weights would provide. And because there’s less of the feel of gravity in the water, it’s a lot easier on the joints. For people like me that suffer from arthritis, this is a good way to take some of the stress off your joints. It doesn’t need to be an organized activity; any sort of regular movement underwater can help.
Relaxing
Water can be therapeutic, even if you’re not doing much in it. Just hanging out in a pool, sitting on a step can be a good way to relax. There’s something about the water that some people find invigorating. Whether you’re relaxing or gently moving around, some people find that being in the water is a good way to rest and recharge.
Exercise is an important part of living a healthy life. And since none of us are training for the Olympics or trying to be competitive in our respective sports, there’s no harm with exercise being fun, too. If you’re into water activities, the above list might be what you’ve been looking for.
Of course, if you’re unsure of what your body can safely handle, please reach out to your doctor. A trained physician that knows you and your medical history will be able to give you a lot more targeted advice and guidance when it comes to safe physical activities. Although exercise is helpful for everyone, if it is doing short term harm to your overall health, it’s not likely to be something that benefits you in the long run, too.
Summer is supposed to be fun and relaxing–and it can be for our elderly loved ones, too. Being around water can make some nervous, but there’s a lot that seniors can do to get the most out of their summer by the pool or lake.
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