Although the cold weather can make it tempting for any of us to want to stay indoors on the couch or in a comfortable chair with a warm drink, according to the National Institute on Aging it’s important to get up and move at least thirty minutes a day.

Exercise is especially helpful for seniors looking to maintain or improve cardiovascular health, preserve strength, balance and flexibility, and to manage symptoms related to conditions such as arthritis, diabetes and some types of cancer.

Exercise not only provides a boost of energy, but also improves sleep, cognitive function (including memory), and reduces anxiety and depression which can become more severe in the winter months. Exercise is also one of the best ways for seniors to stay social, which is critical to fighting isolation.

Getting out and about in the community or surrounding city can be a challenge, however, and not all seniors can afford to do so. Weekly swimming classes and other active outings can add up quickly. So, what are some affordable ways for seniors to maintain healthy habits through the winter months?

Here are five activities that won’t break the bank and are enjoyable for just about everyone!

Five Affordable Ways to Stay Active in the Winter

  1. Dancing: If it sounds simple, it is! While there are line dancing and other classes available for a fee at local community centres, simply turning up a favorite radio station and moving to the music is the perfect blend of entertainment and exercise. There are plenty of YouTube videos that with a simple search can teach a new dance style. Alternatively, you can plan to get a weekly group together with a volunteer instructor who can lead everyone through some fun choreography.
  2. Gentle Yoga or Tai Chi: For some seniors, yoga may seem like an overwhelming activity, but gentle forms of yoga and Tai Chi are designed to get the body moving and focus on simple flexibility techniques rather than more challenging poses. Following an instructor through a video or in a weekly class (many of which are offered for free or at a discount to seniors) is a great way to stay flexible. Yoga and Tai Chi are great activities to do at home, especially when the weather is particularly frightful.
  3. Volunteering: Although it may not sound like a traditional exercise activity, volunteering at a local event or hospital usually requires movement. Ideas include boxing meals for a food drive, working at an animal shelter, or walking with patients around hospital hallways. It costs very little to volunteer time with those in need (perhaps some gas money) but gives seniors an opportunity to socialize and make a difference, all while moving around outside of their normal environment.
  4. Lifting weights: Maintaining strength and muscle mass is especially important for seniors who tend to see this decline more as they age. A few hand weights or ankle weights are relatively inexpensive ways to stay active from the comfort of a chair even while watching television or listening to music. Strength training prevents the loss of bone mass and builds muscle that can even help prevent falls, or the severity of injuries due to accidents.
  5. Walking: Seniors who are part of a walking group, or who otherwise travel to participate in walking activities can maintain their weekly or daily walks during the cold months by taking their walks indoors to a community center or even to a local mall.

For many of these activities there is support available to help those with mobility challenges or other needs to ensure that the activities are safe and practical. Still, it’s a good idea to speak to your doctor before starting any new physical activity.

Seniors living in communities are likely to have access to more of these kinds of pre-planned activities through a coordinator, in which case scheduling reminders in their phone or marking them down on a calendar may be helpful. Participating in the activities with a loved one if possible is also a wonderful way to spend quality time together, reinforcing your connection and the social benefits that come naturally from staying active together.

Do you have other affordable ways to stay active during the winter? We’d love to hear from you! Please leave a comment or contact us.