8 Benefits of Yoga for Seniors
Yoga is a spiritual discipline that brings peace and harmony between mind and body. This activity can be enjoyed by people of all ages, including seniors. If you’re a senior wanting to know why you should try yoga, check out the list of benefits below:
It Can Help You Stay Independent for Longer
For most of us, the saying ‘use it or lose it’ rings true, and the older we get, the more critical this saying becomes. Whether it’s playing golf, gardening, or doing gentle activities like yoga, it’s essential to keep moving every day. Staying active helps us to remain independent for longer, allowing us to remain in our own homes or live independently in an independent senior living facility.
It Helps Relieve Chronic Pain
Very few people manage to reach their senior years without suffering some degree of chronic pain. However, the good news is that practicing yoga can relieve chronic pain. The yoga stretches help strengthen our muscles and alleviate aches and pains. They also help reduce stress, which can add to the pain we experience.
It Can Help Reduce Stress
Yoga is a calm and relaxing activity that can soothe more than just our body; it can also soothe our minds and reduce stress. The slow breathing in yoga helps us feel calm, relaxed, and forget our worries. This helps seniors, particularly those suffering from conditions like dementia, feel more at peace.
Improve Sleeping Habits
Getting enough excellent quality sleep is an issue for many seniors. However, because yoga is such a relaxing activity to take part in, it can help you to sleep longer and more soundly.
It Can Reduce Your Risk of Depression
A recent survey found that over 50% of seniors feel or have felt depressed since they retired. This is a huge issue that needs to be addressed fast. One way we can reduce the number of seniors struggling with this condition is by getting them involved in yoga.
Going to yoga classes is a fantastic way to meet other seniors. As well as this, the combination of slow breathing, movement, and meditation can create an overall sense of well-being.
It Can Help with Diabetes Management
If you’re a senior diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, you may be surprised to hear that yoga can help you manage this condition. Stress has an enormous impact on insulin production. By reducing stress levels with yoga, your diabetes will be easier to manage.
It Helps Strengthen Bones
As we get older, our physical strength will inevitably decline. However, there are ways to maintain strong bones. Yoga for seniors is one example of this. Not only can yoga help to strengthen bones, but it can also help prevent the onset of osteoporosis, a horrible condition that causes bones to become weak and brittle.
It Improves Strength and Protects Joints
Even if you have arthritis, yoga can help improve your muscle strength. On top of this, a study found that practicing yoga helps to protect our joints and reduce the chances of getting conditions like arthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome.
Yoga is an excellent activity with many benefits, including the ones listed above. If you’re a senior, why not find a yoga class near you?