As you get older, it’s normal to start experiencing some of the effects of aging on your body. It can be more noticeable if you lead an active lifestyle or are very physically fit, since you’re paying more attention to the way your body feels than someone who doesn’t stay active regularly would. But whether you’re young or old, you should pay close attention to the way your joints feel if they ever start giving you trouble. Prevent more significant problems down the road with these tips to keep joints healthy as you age!
Use Padding
Many older adults and people who suffer from arthritis experience joint pain and stiffness. One way to make it easier to move your joints is to protect them as much as possible. The easiest way to do that is by padding when moving around; pads for ankles, knees, elbows, and wrists are readily available at most drugstores or department stores. They keep joints cushioned against impact, which helps prevent soreness and pain after activity. It’s a small investment with huge returns in comfort!
Maintain a Healthy Weight
It’s no secret that keeping a healthy weight is one of the best ways to reduce your chances of developing osteoarthritis. Excess weight puts stress on your joints and increases wear and tear; maintaining good body weight through exercise, and smart diet choices can help ward off arthritis. If you already have arthritis, losing even 5% of your current body weight has been shown to reduce pain levels by around 20%. Exercise will help maintain healthy cartilage, which acts as cushioning for our joints—so it’s significant for reducing joint pain. It will also strengthen muscles that support your bones, helping keep them in place as you age.
Try Low-Impact Exercises
Low-impact exercises are a great way to keep joints healthy as you age. Sports like swimming and water aerobics are a great way to get fit without putting unnecessary strain on your joints. Walking is another fantastic way to keep your bones and muscles strong—remember to wear supportive shoes! You don’t have to do all of these things every day. You shouldn’t overdo it with any exercise program. Just make sure that you’re challenging yourself and being smart about how hard you push yourself. Trying new things is never a bad idea—so if something isn’t going quite right or seems uncomfortable, try something else out for size.
Ramp Up Your Range of Motion
Exercising regularly can help you stay active and avoid arthritic issues down the road. Remember that your joints tend to lose their ability to move through a full range of motion as you age. The result is stiffness, pain, and injuries that are much more difficult to recover from. If you want your joints to keep moving freely throughout your golden years, you must constantly challenge them through physical activity. Lift weights, do yoga, and work hard in sports or fitness classes. Your body will thank you for it!
Maintain Proper Posture
Good posture can help ensure that your joints stay healthy. If you tend to slouch, try practicing good posture by standing with your back straight and your shoulders pulled back. In addition to helping support healthy joints, maintaining proper posture can also help alleviate tension in muscles and ease overall discomfort. As a bonus, keeping good posture is a great way to keep looking and feeling younger by preventing some of those old person aches and pains before they start.
