As we age, both our bodies and minds are more prone to pain and malfunction. This is a major challenge for many seniors, who are used to being active and staying healthy. If you or a loved one is struggling with chronic physical or mental pain, there are many things you can do at home or in senior living that will make a big difference. Here are some of the most effective exercises to help seniors reduce pain and improve mental functioning, particularly for those in assisted senior living.

Meditation

Meditation is an incredible exercise for both physical and mental health. Just spending a few minutes a day meditating not only helps to clear your head, but also reduces physical stress as well. Meditation helps reduce muscle tension and can even help you keep your blood pressure down. There are many different types of meditation to choose from, and it can be done independently or using a guided program. If you are spiritual, there are many types of meditation that incorporate aspects of religion, but there are also many secular ways to meditate.

Swimming

For seniors that want to maintain a cardio workout routine, swimming is a very efficient option. It’s very gentle on the bones because there isn’t any impact, but it still keeps your muscles toned and burns calories to keep weight down. Being in the water can also be very soothing both mentally and physically. The feeling of floating in the water is very relaxing if you suffer from chronic pain.

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Topics: Mental Health, Senior Safe Exercise, exercise, Senior living

4 Ways to keep in Top Shape As We Age

We can count on getting older every day...until we stop aging and join the next dimension. While we are still here on terra firma the choices we make in four categories can make a huge difference in our vitality.

Our physical body is a machine. An advanced, incredible machine, but still at machine. It matters what we do to it and what we put into it on a regular basis. If we take care of our machine, it will take care of us as we age. Health and wellness must be a priority. Nutrition, exercise, inflammation and brain activation can all determine our quality of life.

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Topics: Healthy Eating, Healthy Aging, Nutritional Help, exercise, inflammation modulation, Brain heatlh

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 BEATING OBESITY WITH EXERCISE, DIET AND MIND/BODY CONNECTION

Obesity is on the rise in the United States, with the number of Americans suffering from obesity increasing faster than ever— On top of that, other studies show that almost half of Americans do not get the amount of exercise they need to maintain good health. Many doctors and healthcare providers agree: there is most certainly a connection between a obesity and exercise.

That’s why one of the best ways that you can fight obesity is to create wellness—focused activities that help you find an enjoyable workout routine, improve sleep, eat more balanced diet and address any mental health issues that could be contributing to your weight gain.

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Topics: Obesity, exercise, Healthy Eating

I often run accross articles from sources I trust. Thanks goes out to  Ann Quasarano for permission to use this article, which is perfect for this time of the year. If you want to sign up for Dr. Peter J. D'Adamo's exellent blog, the source for this article, just follow this link.

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Topics: autoimmune, D'Adamo, exercise, Dr. Karl R.O.S. Johnson DC, BTD, omega-3 fatty acids

So you've wisely committed to changing your diet and lifestyle in order to put the odds in your favor to stop or slow down the autoimmune process that is plaguing you. You deserve credit for adopting health supporting dietary changes! Few people put in the effort that can pay off handsomely with great dividends. Sometimes you run out of creative ideas for delicious food to eat, especially ones that are easy to eat on the go, or that your children will like.

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Topics: autoimmune, gluten, casein, soy, exercise, MS, GF, SF, CF, energy, cycling, Bike MS

1. Did you know that your brain accounts for less than 2% of your body weight, yet uses roughly 20% of our daily calories?
2. Your brain is a picky eater. It demands a constant supply of glucose, primarily obtained from carbohydrates like fruits, veggies and grains. Sugary snacks provide the wrong kind of glucose, and damages cells everywhere in the body – including the brain.
3. A study at Aston University in England suggests that more frequent, but smaller meals help the brain work best. They found that the brain works best with about 25 grams of glucose circulating in the system – about the amount found in a banana.
4. The brain is 60% fat. Essential fatty acids – the Omega 3’s are brain food!
5. 20% of our blood circulation is devoted to the brain.
6. Don’t eat too much! A study at the University of Wisconsin found that there is an immune response to too much food and may cause cognitive deficit.
7. Rats that gorged themselves on highly saturated fats for several weeks showed damage to the hippocampus – a brain area critical to memory.
8. The frontal cortex is the CEO of our brain and particularly sensitive to falling glucose levels. When the glucose level drops, confused thinking sets in.
9. Keep building your brain. Your brain continues to develop new connections through learning throughout your life.
10. Exercise daily! Physical exercise helps the brain by improving circulation and memory, and balance, coordination and reflexes are all improved with exercise. Mental exercise can help the brain by building new neural connections, boosting memory and offsetting the debilitating effects of age and disease.

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Topics: D'Adamo, exercise, brain, Glucose, Brain Health

Often times patients with severe back pain or certain conditions, such as when bones are weakened or have swelling and inflammation of the joints or even muscle strain, it is nearly impossible to perform high impact exercises. Since maintaining good health, muscle structure and flexibility is crucial to preventing further issues, it is imperative that patients find activities they can perform safely.  Read the articles below and follow the links to the full article for more information on low impact exercises for back pain relief.

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Topics: Dr Karl Johnson, low back pain, exercise, pain relief, low-impact aerobic