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The Pinecone
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February 2015
This is dedicated to
The One I Love
EXERCISE SCHEDULE FOR THE OASIS
Advanced Water Aerobics • Monday & Wednesday • 8:30 am-9:30 am
Exercise in the PAC • Monday, Wednesday & Friday • 9:30 am
Tai Chi in the PAC • Mondays • 2:00 pm
Men’s Only Water Aerobics • Tuesday & Thursday • 8:30 am - 9:15 am
Basic Water Aerobics • Tuesday & Thursday • 9:30 am - 10:15 am
Arthritis Exercise in the Arts & Crafts Room • Tuesday & Thursday • 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Remember that old love song from the 60’s. Taking care of yourself for the one you
love may be just the motivation you need to begin a healthier you.
Care giving for a loved one can be one of life’s most draining experiences: affecting
mind, body and soul. To counter this, set personal health goals. For example, set a
goal to find time to be physically active on most days of the week, or set a goal for
getting a good night’s sleep. It’s also crucial to eat a healthy diet. When caregivers
understand that, there can be a tremendous sense of relief that allows them to set
more realistic goals. Remember these keys to keep depression at bay:
1)
Maintain a life outside of care giving. Stay connected to friends. Don’t give up
your daily routines.
2)
Maintain your health. Get regular check-ups, eat a balanced
diet, and exercise.
3)
Exercise. It un-kinks tense muscles, revs up the cardiovascular
system, and floods the brain with feel-good chemicals, such as endorphins.
4)
Use
simple de-stressing techniques: deep breathing, muscle relaxation, meditation, and self-massage. And laugh. “People don’t think
of humor as a way to cope with stress, but they should”.
5)
Join a support group. In support groups, you validate your role as
caregiver, voice your fears, vent your frustrations, and learn coping strategies and techniques
“
Exercise is an antidote to aging,” says Barry A. Franklin, PhD, director of the cardiac rehabilitation and exercise labs at
Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, MI. A well-rounded routine, as part of a healthy lifestyle, may help you avoid things like falls,
heart disease, and osteoporosis. Experts say many of the conditions people think are due to getting older have more to do with
not moving enough.
At any age, these are the types of exercise you want to get:
Aerobic:
good for your heart and lungs. It’s also good for your blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, sleep, and memory.
What to do:
You can walk briskly, walk in the water, or do any other activity that gets your heart rate up.
Strength training:
good for your muscles and bones. It’s the principle of “use it or lose it.”
What to do:
Start with 2-pound hand weights or resistance stretch bands.
Flexibility and balance:
helps prevent falls by stretching your muscles and keep
them from stiffening up.
What to do:
Yoga and tai chi are good for both. You can also learn balance
exercises in senior fitness classes or from a personal trainer.
Whatever you do, start at a medium pace, where you move a little bit but can
still hold a conversation. Aim for 30 minutes a day and build up to that, even if
you start with just 5 minutes at a time.
We have everything you need right here at Kirby Pines. Check out the Oasis
for exercise equipment or join one of our exercise classes, including our Walk
with Ease Program (beginning March 9th on Mondays and Wednesdays at 10:30
for 9 weeks of walking, stretching, and education sponsored by the Arthritis
Foundation). Setting healthy goals for yourself can be “Dedicated to the ones you
love.”
