Indoor exercises for the cold, Winter months
The below exercises are only suggestions to stay active during the cold months, when getting outside is difficult. Our first priority is the safety of each senior in our care and do not advise any activity that endangers their wellbeing
With winter right around the corner, it’s likely your exercise routine will be impacted. Getting outside for a walk in the neighborhood or park may not be an option. However, it’s still important to stretch to maintain flexibility and continue regular activities to reduce stress and keep your body strong. In Colorado Springs, senior in-home care often calls for simple indoor exercises that can be done by almost everyone. Here are some simple indoor activities that will get you through the winter until you can get outside again.
Yoga
One of the great things about yoga is that it can be done in any setting, at any time of year. You can do your yoga routine when you wake up, to prepare yourself for the day. Or, you can stretch later when you’re a bit more warmed up and ready to exert yourself. You can also find virtual yoga classes to help guide you and teach new poses.
Playing with kids
Whether you are a parent or grandparent, staying active with the kids can make it fun and create memories. During the cold winter months, kids can get stir-crazy themselves, and will be very happy to get active with you. Playing games like hide and seek, or a family dance competition can be great exercise and a lot of fun.
Calisthenics
There are some simple calisthenics you can do as part of senior home care, so that you still get a good workout from the session. You won’t need any special equipment to participate in these calisthenics. If you commit to doing some form of activity like this three or four times a week, it will keep you in good shape through the winter. Some possible types of calisthenics you might want to include on your program include lunges, squats, leg lifts, push-ups, and crunches. If any of these options seem daunting, choose the calisthenics that don’t cause you discomfort and are repeatable several times a week through the winter.
At Gentle Shepherd Home Care we encourage the seniors in our care to remain active as long as possible. If you are caring for a senior loved one and would like to learn more about home care services, contact us for a complimentary care assessment.
