Summertime Activities: Staying Active as an Older Adult

Warm weather is finally upon us and summertime is here! Staying active as an older adult is important year-round, but summer is a great time to take advantage of beautiful weather with new and different activities. Whether you’re enjoying the outdoors by yourself or with loved ones, it’s the perfect time of year to get up and get active!

Take Exercise Outside

Do you have a regular exercise routine but want a change of scenery? Take it outside! Exercising in the sunshine and outdoors has numerous mental and physical health benefits.

• Walking
  • Grab a friend, family member, or pet and hit the walking trails! Walking outdoors is a great low-impact activity. You enjoy walking in a park, neighborhood, or on any of our campus walking trails and enjoy the outdoors. Not only is walking a great way to stay active as an older adult, but by having another person or a pet join you, your social wellness improves as well!
• Tai Chi
  • Tai Chi is another low-impact exercise that can be enjoyed outside. Rooted in Chinese martial arts, tai chi features slow motion movements while focusing on breath and mental concentration. You can find local groups that practice tai chi in your community, or you can always start your own practice by watching videos on a phone or laptop at the park or in your backyard!
• Yoga and Stretching
  • Yoga and stretching are both great ways to soothe body aches and improve mental wellness. Even a simple ten-minute stretching routine can be enjoyed outside. Grab a mat, chair, or whatever you need for your routine and enjoy the sunshine!

Enjoy Your Garden

Gardening is a fun and surprising activity that can keep you active in the summer! While you may not automatically think of gardening as exercise, it’s a great way to engage in physical activity. From bending to digging to weeding, gardening has numerous benefits for muscles, bones, and preventing certain diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and more.

Tending to plants in the garden can also help improve your balance and coordination, while also adding to your nutrition. Growing healthy food such like vegetables and fruits add rich and nutrient dense options for your diet. A healthy diet paired with physical activity help contribute to older adults aging well and having optimal health benefits.

Family-Friendly Activities

One of the best ways to enjoy summer is with your loved ones! Intergenerational connections are important your overall physical and mental wellness. Now that school is out and the weather has warmed up, there are multiple activities you can engage in with family, grandchildren, and loved ones.

• Swimming
  • Hitting the pool is the perfect way to enjoy low-impact exercise, stay cool, and, most of all, have fun! Swimming is a great activity for all ages and provides a full-body cardiovascular and strength workout while providing joint and muscle relief. Don’t forget to wear sunscreen to avoid sunburns and reapply throughout the day!
• Bike Rides
  • Riding bikes is a great and nostalgic way to enjoy the outdoors! From teaching younger loved ones how to ride to enjoying longer rides with friends, riding a bike is a great low-impact, aerobic exercise. Cycling regularly can help improve sleep, lower blood pressure, and improve bone health. Make sure to always wear a helmet and follow road safety to avoid injuries and accidents.
• Hiking
  • Looking to explore your adventurous side? Hiking is a great way to explore what local nature has to offer! Whether it’s a short trail or a full day adventure with your family, hiking is a great way to enjoy the outdoors. Not only will you improve balance, coordination, and cardiovascular health, but hiking has numerous benefits for mental health as well. Hiking improves brain function, mood, and overall confidence. Be sure to check the difficulty of trails, wear proper footwear, and bring plenty of water to stay hydrated.

Safety Tips

Staying safe while being outside should always be your top priority. Enjoying the warm weather has numerous benefits, but it’s also important to remember how to avoid injuries and illness while staying active in the summertime as an older adult.

Sun Protection

• Make sure to always wear sunscreen to avoid sunburns. Dermatologists generally recommend wearing SPF 30 or higher and reapplying every 2 hours or after getting wet while swimming or sweating.
• Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing to avoid sun exposure. Dressing in moisture wicking materials while exercising or hiking is important help regulate body temperature and keep you comfortable.
• Wearing hats and sunglasses are essential to help prevent sun exposure. Protecting your eyes against ultraviolet (UV) sunlight is just as important as wearing sunscreen. Not only are you protecting your eye health, but you are also lowering your risk for skin cancer, eye strain, and minimizing glare.

Stay Hydrated

• Always make sure to have water on hand when you are outside, even if it’s for a short amount of time. Bringing a reusable water bottle and drinking plenty of water can help prevent dehydration, heat stroke, and more.
• Eating snacks that have a high-water content can also help you stay hydrated! Fresh fruits and vegetables are easy to pack and bring with on your outdoor adventures. Some of our favorite snacks include:
  • Cut up watermelon, honeydew, and cantaloupe
  • Mixed berries like blueberries, cherries, and raspberries with yogurt
  • Celery with peanut butter and raisins
  • Tomato, cucumber, and mixed greens salad with low-fat dressing

Stay in the Shade

• While it’s important to enjoy the sunshine, it’s equally as important to know when to find shade. Walking or bike riding along shaded areas is important to stay cool and covered while you exercise.
• Exercise in the early morning or later in the evening to avoid high temperatures and full sun exposure, ideally trying to avoid the hours from 10am to 2pm.

Recognize Your Limits

• Always remember to check-in with yourself while being active outdoors. Knowing when to take a break or when to stop exercising is important to avoid more serious heat and sun related illnesses.
• Know the signs of different heat related illnesses:
  • Dehydration includes headaches, dizziness, muscle cramps, low blood pressure, rapid heart rate, and confusion
  • Heat stroke includes high body temperature, skin changes, fast pulse, confusion, and even loss of conscious
  • Heat exhaustion includes high amounts of sweating, clammy skin, nausea, weak pulse, and loss of consciousness
  • If you or someone you are with begin to show signs of a heat related illness, stop exercising and seek out medical attention immediately.
• Always let someone know when you are exercising outdoors. Tell a loved one or, better yet, bring a buddy!

Summertime Happiness

Soaking up the sun and enjoying physical activity heavily contributes to aging well. By following our exercise and safety tips, your summer season will be full of fun activities and improving your overall physical wellness.

Did you enjoy learning about staying active as an older adult in the summertime? We’re your number one resource for all things senior living. At The Ohio Masonic Communities, our senior living communities are designed for you to thrive as a resident and age in place. We offer maintenance-free homes, engaging amenities, and a welcoming community across our three campuses—Browning Masonic Community in Waterville, Ohio, Springfield Masonic Community in Springfield, Ohio, and Western Reserve Masonic Community in Medina, Ohio.

We are your number one stop for senior living resources. We’re here to help you explore senior living options with confidence. Wherever you are in your journey, we’re here to help. Give us a call at (877) 881-1623 or contact us here.