Staying Active Even When It’s Difficult

I knew I was in trouble when I was reading about accessible beaches as I ate cold soup out of a can. I really need to get some activity in my life.

I’ve always been a very active person, something that served me well for surgery and subsequent recovery. My bones are strong and will heal quickly. So, going from active to sitting on my butt all day really doesn’t work well for me. It didn’t take me too long before I thought, okay, I have one bum leg, so what, the rest of me is fine and I want to keep it that way. And it’s not even the whole leg, it’s just the ankle!

I don’t have the vigor of my youth, I know that, but I did break my ankle on hike and not getting out of the shower. That should count for something, right? I want to get back to that level of activity, or better, and so I can’t sit around having a pity party. I can’t take my walks on the beach, or hikes in the woods – yet – so what can I do?

Turns out, when I spend a little time thinking about it, there’s a whole lot I can do. Not all yoga requires standing, my upper body is fine, and in another week I can start swimming. While it’s not all I would want, it covers all my bases – flexibility, balance, strength and cardio – until I fully recover. In addition, there are plenty of outdoor spaces around my home that are accessible, and I even found some paths close to home that are paved, and take me right down to the sand.

There are some really good reasons to stay active as we age:

Disease prevention
Studies show that being active reduces the chance of coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes and obesity.

Improved balance
Balance is always a concern as we age. Falls are the leading cause of injuries deaths in older adults, according to the CDC. Increased strength will improve your balance and help you avoid falls.

Stronger bones
We all have bone concerns as we age, so I was pretty happy when the doctor told me my bones are strong. In fact, good news/bad news, they had already started to heal before the surgery, so he had to re-break them. He said it’s because I’m so active. Exercise helps maintain bone and joint health, helping reduce all those aches and pains and stiffness we experience. It can even restore bone density, which can help prevent fractures.

Better mental health
Studies show that physical activity can help battle depression and reduce stress. It can even reduce the risk of cognitive decline and diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer’s. Being active helps bring happiness through the release of endorphins and you can up that benefit by joining with friends.

I consider activity and movement one of the four building blocks of wellness, along with community nutrition and mindfulness. For more on how to incorporate movement into your everyday life, including some ideas on activities you might enjoy, read Building Blocks of Wellness #3: Movement. No matter your fitness level and your ability, there are ways to stay active.