We’ll let you in on a little secret – there are two keys to aging well, and they’re easy to incorporate into your daily routine! In fact, they’re so simple that there’s no reason why you wouldn’t want to start making them a daily priority.

Good posture and daily walks!
We told you they were easy. As simple as they are, they can provide incredible benefits as one ages. A recent article from Next Avenue explains all the benefits of good posture and daily walks for active adults:

Strong muscles, dense bone, and improved balance.

When you walk with a brisk, sturdy gait, you increase and strengthen your hip muscles, build your bone density and improve your balance. Strong hips and bones and good balance are important as we age, because they can reduce the risk of falling.

More independence.

Improve your posture now and reap the benefits later. Good posture can help reduce future dependence on walking-aid devices, such as walkers and canes.

Increased cardiovascular and pulmonary health.

It’s no secret that walking is incredibly beneficial for your cardiovascular and pulmonary systems! Walking can reduce the risk of lung disease and stroke, according to an article from natural health expert Mercola.

Less chronic pain.

According to the same article from Mercola, improved posture can also lessen the effects of chronic pain.

Improved mental health.

It’s not only your physical health that can improve with daily walks – walking can be beneficial for your mental health, too! Daily walks give you an opportunity to clear your mind and reduce stress, and like other forms of exercise, has a positive impact on your overall well-being.

Convinced that daily walks and improved posture are the keys to aging well? Now it’s time to start incorporating them into your daily schedule! A brisk daily walk of about 30 minutes should be sufficient, and taking your walk around the same time every day will help you stick to your schedule. For our residents at The Villages at Two Rivers, a daily walk is always more enjoyable when taking in the beauty of our neighborhoods and walking trails.

While you move, be sure to walk with a tucked pelvis – this is a great way to practice your posture. Another option for improving your posture is to take yoga classes.

SOURCE: nextavenue.org, mercola.com