Stay Safe, Stay Fit: Aging With Intention

Keeping Active As You Grow Older

Asha Auntie On Staying Fit And Healthy At Home

Although things have been opening back up for a while now, quarantine taught us the importance of keeping physically, mentally, and emotionally fit.

Some time ago, I shared my indoor fitness tips for all seasons. Yes, even here in California the winter weather sometimes makes outdoor exercise difficult! After the pandemic presented new limitations, I realized it was time to update those ideas. Mall walking, indoor community pools, and group exercise classes were all out during the Covid-19 lockdown. So, how to maintain a regular fitness routine within those restrictions?

Part of aging with intention is learning how to adapt to a different lifestyle while keeping focused on our inner and outer health. As we grow older, we have to adapt to new routines, especially for exercise. Not always wanting or being able to leave your home is part of aging, and maintaining a fitness schedule is imperative to being healthy.

Keeping Healthy & Fit While Aging With Intention

Here are some ideas for staying fit, lowering stress hormones, and keeping those feel-good hormones active and flowing:

1. Walking
   This activity is an oldie but a goodie for a reason. Why not take a brisk walk or a leisurely stroll around your neighborhood? Enjoy the sunshine, get our vitamin D, and wave at our neighbors. If you have a dog, you’re probably doing this anyway—maybe even a few times a day. Keep at it!
2. Online Exercise Classes
   With gyms and yoga studios closed for safety, more and more of us joined classes online. There are countless yoga, pilates, tai chi, Zumba, and Bollywood dance classes available for free on YouTube, and fantastic new classes also available via Zoom. Even though in-person classes are back in session, it’s still a great idea for those days when you just don’t want to go anywhere. You can meet your fitness goals without even leaving your home!
3. Home Workouts
   If exercise classes aren’t your thing, try a variety of home workouts to keep your fitness levels up. If you already have a treadmill or an elliptical, yay, you can get to work! If not, no worries: you can get your daily steps in on the staircase, in your garden, or—if you’re a pacer like me—you can walk around the living room during your phone chats with friends and family. If you love to dance, crank up the music and move your body like nobody’s watching! Make it 15 to 20 mins every day, and you’ve got your daily cardio!

One final tip: I’ve found that scheduling my exercise sessions at specific times can be immensely helpful. Having a plan to stick to doesn’t just keep me accountable: it gives me a sense of control and certainty. I hope it does the same for you too!

Are you committed to staying active and fit? Contact us at Priya Living to learn more about the health and wellness programs we offer at our unique co-living communities.