As we age, the motivation to do the things we used to do starts to die out. Energy levels decrease, and daily activities that require a lot of energy become unappealing. Exercise is one of those activities mature adults try to avoid in their golden ages. This is a shame as exercising has so many benefits for them. It can also be a dangerous choice as the body does not react well to inactivity. Even if you get your loved ones to exercise, the enthusiasm is not there. But not to worry, here are some ways you can get your loved ones excited for exercise.
Explain the Benefits
Many mature adults may not see the point of exercising when they are already in their frail state. It is important that you sit down with your loved ones and explain to them the never-ending list of benefits they can get from exercising. Make them understand that exercising can improve their quality of life and improve their body’s function. It can also help if you try to understand their perception of exercise and change it if needed. The media has constantly shown exercise as something strenuous, which can be daunting for many. Explain to them that there are many different types of exercises for them to choose from and that they do not have to do the high-intensity ones if they do not want to. Yoga is also a great way to start.
Make It Fun
Rather than making them do the same exercises every day, switch it up and let them try other fun activities as well. You can bring them to go dancing, bowling, hiking, and many other fun activities. Trying something new once in a while will give them something to get excited about, giving them more reason to wake up in the morning. Better yet, join them for these activities. No one likes to exercise alone and having someone they love with them will reduce the anxiety and give them more excitement as they are sharing the experience. Of course, the exercises you make them do should be approved by their doctor should your loved ones have any medical conditions.
Start Small
You do not have to force them to go on a long hike to the mountains on the first exercise session. Take things slow and set small goals for them. You can start with a 30-minute walk around the neighborhood and slowly increase the session period and intensity when they are ready. You can also simplify the activities if your loved ones are having difficulty completing it. If you have set goals for your loved ones, encourage them to reach these goals. Do reward them when they have completed their fitness goals. It can be a simple reward like serving their favorite food or doing another activity that they love. Incentivizing their exercise journey does help the brain to paint exercise in a positive light, prompting a positive behavior in return. It can even result in a more consistent exercise routine.
