Self Improvement Articles

Safe Exercises for Baby Boomers

You are a baby boomer, and you are not as fit and as vibrant as you used to be. But, that is no excuse to not stay in shape. As a matter of fact, people who try to stay in shape by exercising every day, even in their 50s and 60s, live longer and healthier lives, full of energy. You may be feeling some aches and pains here and there, but don’t let that stop you. Don’t think you’ll need do Shaun T’s Insanity to stay fit however. Here are some tips you can follow to work up a sweat and be on the safe side as well.

Cardio, even if you are 90, is one of the safest forms of exercise you can do. Cardio is any repetitive thing that you do that raises your heart rate. So this is an umbrella term for a whole host of exercises, including running, swimming, jogging, and cycling. At your age, you are not able to endure or go as fast as people 10, 20 or 30 years your junior, but you will be able to get the same amount of exercise they get in just 30 minutes. If you are an early riser, get out of bed and take a brisk morning walk. It is recommended that you don’t do this alone. Do this with your spouse, or better yet with a group of your buddies who are trying to get as fit as you. The crowd mentality will ensure that you don’t slow down and keep the same pace. It is also recommended that you buy a bike, preferably a good mountain bike, which will be easier on your knees. Running can be bad for your knees, and you may not have a pool or body of water to readily swim every day. However, do not neglect these exercises if you can do them.

This one is a bit tricky, but strength training at least once a week is recommended for baby boomers. As you age past 50, your muscles start losing mass more than ever before. Some researchers say it is possible to lose a half pound of muscle every year after 50. Combat this trend by taking up some weights. Not only does it build muscle, but it also reduces the risk of osteoporosis. So women, don’t think this is just for men alone. You should be very careful, however, and it is best that you join a gym instead of lifting weights in your own home, so that a trainer can keep their eye on you. They will know how much you can manage to lift.

Finally, look into some yoga. As you age, your connective tissues start to deplete, leaving you less flexible than before. You can combat this by doing yoga, which basically is flexibility and balance exercises. Even regular stretching can help. You can tell your body to keep those joints lubricated by doing stretches and holding certain positions. You can stretch on your own every morning, or you can join a yoga class, which last between 30 to 60 minutes. You only need to visit the class around three times a week.

Relationship Fear

There are couples who remain together out of fear. They fear being alone, they fear what it might mean to lose their loved one. They fear having to survive financially without a partner or they fear leaving because their partner has threatened them in some way.

Fear is simply a sense of dread about the unknown, fueled by the imagination giving you all sorts of worst-case-scenario images about what might go wrong.

If you’re in your relationship because you’re afraid to be alone, then this should be a signal to you that your relationship isn’t right for you, but you aren’t ready to move on as an independent adult.

However, if your fear is based on a more serious psychological issue, such as physical or emotional abuse, then things are a little different.

There are people who remain in relationships because they fear what their partner would do to them if they left. Their partner may have threatened to commit suicide if they leave, or they may have threatened to hunt them down and hurt them if they leave.

Each of these kinds of threats falls under the Emotional Blackmail category and is damaging the trust, respect and future of the relationship.

Mending the Rift

Understand the reasons why you’re afraid of your partner or fearful of leaving and then look closely at the reasons why you’re staying.

If you truly love that person and you know the relationship is perfect for you, then you will need to sort through your fear and anxiety to uncover the root of the problem.

However, if your partner is abusive or threatening or has anger management issues, ask yourself seriously what kind of person shows love this way. Is this the type of love you want to receive? If you fear someone so much that you’re afraid to leave, then you should question whether love is really a part of your relationship at all.

A strong, healthy relationship involves love, trust and respect for and from each of you. These feelings can only survive when there is no fear of your partner or of what your partner might do.

Communication and honesty about your feelings can be a good step towards mending some of the fear-issues, but only you can know if the relationship is worth saving in these circumstances.