The importance of stretching our muscles as we age!
As we get older, our muscles weaken, and our range of movement becomes more limited.
Our muscles become shorter, less elastic, and tighter, and as a result, we become less flexible.
Stretching regularly keeps our muscles long and lean, and can help to improve and maintain muscle strength, flexibility, mobility, and good posture.
It can also increase circulation and blood flow and loosen tight ligaments and tendons.
Keeping our muscles strong and preserving our muscle mass as we age is also a must.
Age-related muscle loss (known as sarcopenia) is something that happens as we get older.
After the age of 30, we lose as much as 3-5% of our muscle mass with each passing decade.
After middle age, adults lose on average 3% of their muscle strength every year.
This limits our ability to perform many routine activities, it impacts our longevity, it may lead to falls and broken bones, and can even prevent us from fully recovering.
Resistance exercises increase muscle strength by making our muscles work against a weight or force. Examples of resistance exercises include lifting weights, push-ups, squats, and lunges.
Making sure we eat enough protein is also important when we exercise, because protein is necessary for our body to maintain muscle mass. Foods that are rich in protein include lean cuts of meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy. Plant-based proteins include legumes, soybeans, chickpeas, quinoa, chia and hemp seeds, peanut butter, and spirulina.
You can find lots more tips and useful information on healthy living, nutrition, and the importance of looking after our emotional and physical health as we get older in the “Survival Guide on Aging Healthily!” – Visit our ‘SHOP’ for more information!