Every September, Healthy Aging Month invites us to consider what the next chapter of life could look like. This year’s theme, “Curiosity Has No Age Limit,” is a reminder that a positive, inquisitive approach to life doesn’t have an expiration date. Curiosity is about staying open to what your body and mind are capable of.
Maybe you used to run, but your knees don’t like it anymore. Maybe you played tennis for years until your shoulder started complaining. Or maybe exercise was never a big part of your life in the first place. Regardless, getting older doesn’t mean your physical world has to keep getting smaller. Are you ready for
A common myth says we’re less happy the older we get, slogging through a long, unhappy decline. But in fact, many people get happier. A 2024 AARP survey found that 44% of adults over 50 say they’ve become happier as they’ve aged. Women were especially likely to say so. Another survey found that 86% of
Balance problems often get filed under “getting old,” something to worry about later that you can’t do much about. Truthfully, though, the decline can start long before you notice it. And there’s plenty to do about it, starting now. Training for balance helps you stay steady on your feet. It helps you keep doing the
Barry ran his first marathon at 49 and recently registered for his 10th. But about two years ago, a hospitalization forced him to make serious health changes. He joined a gym not long after that, working out three days a week. Now 65, he recently hit his 100th workout. He’d tried strength training before but
Joy Upshaw is 65 and a champion track-and-field athlete. And one of her secrets to success is key to all of us as we age and try to stay our best: Some days you got it, and some days you don’t. “You got to be careful with our age,” she says about her daily training
If you’re worried that exercise will hurt your joints, here’s some good news: the right kind of strength training is one of the best things you can do for them. It sounds backwards, right? If your joints ache, you might naturally think to protect them by moving less. But the opposite is best: motion is
Most people don’t lift weights, especially later in life when they need it most. After 50, it’s crucial if you want to stay strong, healthy and independent throughout life. Here are just seven reasons why mature adults should practice resistance training on a regular basis. It slows age-related muscle loss and increases muscle mass and quality. We
Most Americans say lifestyle behaviors are important for brain health. But less than half connect those behaviors to actually lowering their risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Here’s where things stand. An estimated 7.4 million Americans age 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s disease today, along with about 750,000 Canadians. The numbers are expected to rise.
As we move into summer, it’s easy to confuse fitness with the visible muscles like arms, chest or abs. But did you know that some of the most important muscles for optimal aging are the ones people rarely see? The muscles of the back, hips, and backside that help you stand tall, stay balanced, and