As you age, it’s normal to slow down and want to move around less. But the best way of fighting aging and leading a healthier life is to keep active.
Staying active is especially key to keeping your back healthy. The older we get, the easier it is for our backs to break down and leave us unable to move or get around like we used to. Do you want to be stuck with painful back problems and a limited range of movement for the last quarter of your life? Of course not!
So where do you start in making sure your back keeps functioning? Speak to your primary care physician and see if they can point you toward a doctor who specializes in back health and problems. That specialist can take a look at your back, especially focusing on the spine, to see if you’re developing problems that are going to impact your health as you grow older. They can also work with you to develop a program for making your back muscles stronger and keeping your back straighter.
This might sound intimidating, but rest assured that it’s not as bad as you think. Even small, slow steps can make a big impact in relieving stress to your back. In fact, slowly building up to more intensive exercises is much preferred to jumping right into the deep end; doing the latter could risk just injuring yourself more.
One great option for beginners looking to improve their back health is simply to walk more. Whether you’re taking a stroll around the neighborhood and walking around a mall with family, getting up and moving for a few hours several times a week is a huge thing.
Once you get used to that level of activity, you can start considering other options. Perhaps you could begin attending a yoga class, volunteer at a local shelter, or find a new social group or hobby that gets you moving around more often. Your doctor might also suggest creating an exercise routine, which might include things such as biking, swimming, using an elliptical, or purchasing a stair stepper for your home. Whatever you end up going with, be sure to take things at a pace that feels reasonable and achievable for you.
In the long run, being more active every day is rewarding and worth it. As your back muscles strengthen, you’ll face less risk of injury, not to mention just having more energy for whatever the day brings. More activity will also help with sleep and digestion. It’s no stretch to say that your overall quality of health will be much improved in this process. It’s worth it.
