Skip left navigation

Home > Healthy Aging > Staying active

Why should I be active?

• More information on why should i be active?

Being active can help prevent muscle and bone loss. It can also help you prevent or delay conditions like diabetes and heart disease. Being active may also help you feel good and enjoy life more. It can even help fight depression. And an increasing number of studies suggest that keeping your body fit helps your brain stay fit too. Regular activity as you continue to age can also help you stay independent and doing things on your own.

Generally, it can help you live a longer, healthier life. So get moving!

Return to top

More information on Why should I be active?

Explore other publications and websites

• Aging in the Know: Physical Activity (Copyright © The AGS Foundation for Health in Aging) - This publication explains what the health benefits of physical activity are, how much exercise you should do, and what the benefits of different activities are.
  http://www.healthinaging.org/agingintheknow/chapters_ch_trial.asp?ch=11
• Exercise & Physical Activity: Your Everyday Guide From the National Institute on Aging - This illustrated booklet can help older adults get physically active. The booklet explains how physical activity can benefit older adults, provides sample activities to get people started, tips to stay motivated, and ways to measure progress.
  http://www.nia.nih.gov/HealthInformation/Publications/ExerciseGuide/
• Exercise and Seniors (Copyright © American Academy of Family Physicians) - This publication provides information on how to start an exercise program, what type of exercises you should do, and when to call a doctor.
  http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/healthy/physical/basics/754.html
• Exercise for Older Adults - This publication discusses the benefits of exercise for older adults by using both written material and short instructional videos. It provides information on safety, different exercises and charting your progress.
  http://nihseniorhealth.gov/exerciseforolderadults/toc.html
• Healthy Eating and Physical Activity Across Your Lifespan: Young at Heart: Tips for Older Adults - This booklet gives tips for older adults on eating healthy, getting active, and losing weight.
  http://win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/young_heart.htm

Connect with other organizations

• American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)
  http://www.aarp.org/
• Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity, CDC
  http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/
• National Institute on Aging, NIH, HHS
  http://www.nia.nih.gov/
• SmallStep.gov
  http://www.smallstep.gov/
• The AGS Foundation for Health in Aging
  http://www.healthinaging.org/
• Weight-Control Information Network
  http://win.niddk.nih.gov/index.htm

Content last updated August 12, 2010.

Resources last updated August 12, 2010.

Email Print

Return to top