The relationship between physical activity and mental health is crucial, particularly for the ageing population. As life expectancy increases, so does the importance of maintaining not only physical health but mental health as well. The challenges of ageing are often accompanied by increased feelings of loneliness and isolation, which can exacerbate mental health issues. Luckily, physical activity can offer many benefits to seniors’ mental health. From enhancing mood and cognitive function to fostering social connections, staying active can be a key component in sustaining a vibrant and healthy mental state as we age.

The Link Between Physical Activity and Mental Health 

Aside from its physical benefits, exercise has proven benefits for mood, concentration, and alertness. The reason why is a bit more complex, as inactivity can be both a cause and a symptom of struggling with mental health. While remaining active during those times can be difficult, knowing how important it is—and how it affects your brain—can help be a motivating factor.

Working out affects your brain and body by releasing various ‘feel good’ chemicals. These include endorphins and adrenaline to help your body’s endurance for the physical aspect of the workout. Additionally, exercise can help reduce cortisol levels, the body’s stress hormone, which helps to improve mood. 

Further benefits include working as an outlet for frustration in your personal or professional life and an opportunity to socialise if you work out with a group or class. By creating a support network and having a safe outlet for negative emotions, you can help improve many symptoms of mental illness to help you get back on track. These social benefits can be especially helpful for seniors, who often experience feelings of loneliness and isolation.

Types of Physical Activities Beneficial for Seniors

Any physical activity that you find enjoyable and sustainable is a good activity to engage in, even if that’s just a walk around the park. Professionals recommend two and a half hours of moderate to vigorous intensity aerobic activity weekly for older individuals, with muscle and bone strengthening activities twice a week. If you’re looking to start working out or expand your routine, here are a few options that can help:

• Yoga: This a great, low-impact exercise that is highly customizable to your individual needs. There are also many yoga classes for every skill level to help you get involved in a community or easy-to-follow online tutorials for at-home workouts.
• Swimming is the perfect exercise to relieve the pressure on sore joints and help you regain motion or simply move more easily through the workout. Many community centres and local pools offer aquafit classes or other groups specifically for seniors, who are mindful of providing modified exercises to best suit a variety of individual needs.
• Walking: Simply walking around the block can be a great form of exercise, but there are also a lot of outdoor and indoor walking groups to join if you want to expand your social circle and find the motivation of others to be helpful. 
• Exercise classes: You may be able to find local exercise classes specifically for seniors. These classes focus on light resistance training and aerobics, providing movements that can accommodate injury or lower mobility. These can be a great way to socialise or find out what types of exercise you find the most engaging.

It’s important to remember that the best physical activity is the one that you can do regularly. If you don’t enjoy swimming, then you won’t be motivated to continue going to the pool—so instead, choose something that you do enjoy. Even if it’s just a short daily walk, you can work towards further distances or more intense exercise once you have the routine in place.

Challenges and How to Overcome Them 

Exercising isn’t as easy as deciding whether you want or need to do something. There are many genuine hurdles, such as mobility or health concerns, a lack of energy or motivation to take up a new activity, and financial limitations, such as the cost of a gym membership. A few ways to address these concerns are:

• You can look into online classes or tutorial videos, which may be more affordable and accessible than in-person classes.
• Explore classes targeted to seniors, as they are often more adaptable to people with different or changing mobility needs. 
• Research exercises that can address specific health concerns, such as hypertension, hip mobility or osteoporosis.
• Set achievable goals, like going for one extra walk a week or joining a new class. 
• Find a workout buddy to help keep you motivated.

The Importance of Physical Activity in Maintaining Mental Health

The undeniable connection between physical activity and mental health cannot be overstated, especially for seniors who might face unique challenges and vulnerabilities. Regular exercise not only provides a crucial outlet for stress and emotional frustration but also fosters social connections that combat loneliness and isolation. Whatever you choose, the key is to find enjoyable and sustainable activities. Ultimately, embracing physical activity as a regular part of life ensures physical well-being and mental resilience, curating a richer, more connected existence.

About the Author

Tracy Griffin the the Head of Marketing and Sales at Lifeline Canada. Lifeline is Canada’s first personal response and support service, dedicated to helping seniors and disabled individuals live with greater independence and dignity in their own homes. They are proud to be the most trusted and recommended personal response service provider by healthcare professionals nationwide. Tracy has been responsible for Sales and Marketing for Lifeline Canada since 2005.