PRIME TIME
November 2016
Keep Moving This Winter for Your Health
and Happiness
By Barb Armijo
I
t is important to stay active
during the winter months,
especially for seniors. The
effects of inactivity can take a toll on
physical and mental health.
Many seniors spend most of their
time indoors during the winter,
but that doesn’t mean that they are
limited in what they can do. There
are many indoor social and physical
activities available at home or at
local senior centers, including group
exercise, dances and field trips.
Contact your local senior centers
for activity calendars and open gym
time.
While exercise is important for
everyone, seniors are especially
prone to the ill effects that occur
when not active. For example,
inactivity can lead to reduced muscle
mass, intolerance for physical
activity and an increased risk of
falling, said Rhonda Methvin,
division manager for senior centers
and fitness facilities for the City of
Albuquerque’s Department of Senior
Affairs.
The city operates eight senior
community centers and four fitness
centers. An annual $13 fee for people
age 50 and over allows members to
partake in activities and provides full
use of the fitness centers.
“We know that it’s not easy to
get out and exercise when it’s cold
outside,” Methvin said. “But there
are other ways to do easy things at
home if conditions are too bad to get
out. That’s why our department has
continued to improve our facilities
for seniors.”
Exercising and staying active
also helps reduce the chances of
conditions such as cardiovascular
disease and can help regulate blood
pressure. In addition to the physical
side effects, staying inactive and
isolated during the winter months
can lead to depression and stress.
Methvin said the centers offer
some simple ways for seniors to get
active indoors and outdoors that are
both fun and healthy. Some events
include taking arts and crafts classes,
but there also yoga classes and other
group activities such as hikes and
walks that are organized by the city.
Whether you do these at home or
at the local senior centers, it will be
worth the effort in the long run, she
said.
“I think that isolation is a problem and other services offered by the
for some seniors in the winter,”
department.
she said. “Walking with a friend or
“The message is to do something,
getting out to the senior centers to
anything, large or small to stay
have a healthy lunch and maybe stay active,” Methvin said. “Don’t stay
for a group exercise session - all of
on the couch when it’s cold outside.
this helps your mental and emotional Find a way to improve your life for
wellness.”
the long haul.”
The City of
Albuquerque’s Senior
Affairs website, www.
BUENA VISTA SENIOR CARE
cabq.gov/seniors, offers
resources for senior
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