Walk Your Way into Better Health at V!VA Whitby Shores
Published on December 30, 2019
When choosing a retirement home, Whitby is a great town to consider. Senior living in Whitbyoffers many benefits because the community is rich with culture and entertainment for your enjoyment. Another reason why this area is perfect for retirement is because there are many walking destinations in Whitby. Exercise and exploration are two important aspects of life as they help maintain good health and keep the mind active. Here is what you need to know about the benefits of walking for seniors and why Whitby is the ideal location to retire.
Benefits of Walking for Seniors
Improves Cardiovascular Health
One of the biggest benefits of walking for seniors is that it improves cardiovascular health. Many studies have connected regular walking with heart-health benefits. Walking has shown to reduce the risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, stroke, heart disease, and cardiac arrest. Even adding small amounts of walking each week has been shown to reduce these risks by up to 20%! Meanwhile, daily walking regiments show up to a 50% reduction in the risk of cardiac arrest.
Boosts the Immune System
Another benefit of walking is that it boosts the immune system and protects against day-to-day illnesses. Studies show that regular walkers get sick less often each year and for shorter periods of time than those who don’t. Another study discovered that people who walk 20 minutes a day for five days a week took 43% fewer sick days compared to those who did not exercise.
Reduces the Risk of Disability
Not only does regular walking get seniors out of their home and moving around, it also helps them stay in better control of their lifestyle. According to a recent study, regular walking reduced elderly adults’ risk of developing a physical disability by 41%. Regular walking helps seniors maintain their independence and strength as they get older.
Reduces Arthritis-Related Pain
For seniors with arthritis, they may think that walking will end up being too difficult to do regularly; however, multiple studies have shown that regular walking actually reduces arthritis pain. The movement of walking lubricates knee and hip joints and strengthens the surrounding muscles, which reduces the strain placed on the affected joints. By adding walking to your routine a few times a week and slowly progressing to five days a week, seniors can see gradual benefits of pain reduction.
Helps Fight Weight Problems and Improves Longevity
Any type of physical exercise can help seniors fight weight problems and improve longevity. Movement burns calories and helps seniors manage their weight. However, there are more benefits from walking than simply burning calories. When studying the genetic links to obesity, it was found that one hour of walking a day reduces the effects of 32 obesity-promoting genes by 50%. Regular walking also reduces sugar cravings, even in times of high stress.
Walking Can Be as Effective as Running
Not everyone is cut out to be a high endurance runner, and there is a common misconception that one can only benefit through exercise if it is intense. The truth is that less intense activities can be equally as beneficial in terms of burning calories and improving cardiovascular health. Seniors who are stressed about getting in shape can have peace of mind knowing that regular walks can provide the health benefits they need.
Walking Destinations for Seniors Near V!VA Whitby Shores Retirement Community
There are many beautiful walking destinations for seniors that make exercising seem effortless. These features include retirement communities near the lake, a quiet neighborhood away from the busyness of the city, local parks and locations for bird watching and hikes, shopping centres, gyms, and more. With so many waterside paths, parks, conservation areas, and forests, there are countless places to go to enjoy a good walk. Here are some of the great walking destinations available in Whitby.
Lynde Shores Conservation Area
Port Whitby Marina
Iroquois Beach Park
Rotary Sunrise Lake Park
Whitby Lions Promenade
Portage Park
Second Marsh Wildlife Area
Altona Forest
About V!VA Whitby Shores
If you’re looking for the perfect place to retire that allows you to be active and maintain your health, or improve it, look no further than V!VA Whitby Shores Retirement Community. Our retirement community is one of the best choices in the area, because it is designed to help our Community Members enjoy a more engaging, purposeful lifestyle. Our team members strive to create an environment where our Community Members feel comfortable and safe as they build new friendships and enjoy an active, safe, healthy lifestyle.
While we are situated near many local parks and conservation areas for walking and staying active, we also provide many services at our retirement community. Some of our services include meals prepared by Red Seal chefs, fitness and recreational programs, amenities, and much more. You or your loved one can enjoy a relaxed, comfortable, and personal environment that provides the comforts of privacy and the fun of socializing in a safe community.
Ready to learn more about us and to find out if our retirement community is right for you or your loved one? E-mail us at whitbyshores@vivalife.ca or call us at (905) 431-7410 for more information.
