For seniors, staying active in the winter months can go a long way toward staying healthy. But "active" doesn't have to mean running a marathon. Chair exercise several times a day is enough to keep muscles and joints in shape. For many of us, winter can seem like never-ending gloom, with little sunshine and snowy, cold weather. When the winds howl and snow flies, we hunker down by a warm fire with a good book or a favorite television show.
Pawlowski suggests seniors try and squeeze in exercise at least once a day, though more often is optimal. If weakness or balance is an issue, Pawlowski suggests using a chair for support or try chair yoga or chair cardio classes that can be found at the local gym, or on YouTube. “Water aerobics are a great way to stay active – whether in summer or winter – because seniors are in a warm pool where the resistance of the water helps joints and muscles move freely, but without the low impact of jumping around on a floor.”
And while we have all heard the mantra to “check with your doctor before beginning any exercise program,” Pawlowski says it is even more important to “listen to your body.”