Military OneSource Tip of the Week - Staying Fit after Retirement: Benefits of Staying Healthy
Source: Military Community and Family Policy (MC&FP) Weekly eNewsletter
As a service member, you're probably aware of the benefits of staying fit. But after you retire, you may not have as much of an incentive to work out. As you reach retirement age, your body needs exercise even more than when you were younger. Some reasons to stay fit after retirement include:
- Exercise increases your metabolism. As we get older, our metabolism tends to slow down. This explains why many people get a "middle-age spread." If you continue to eat the same amount of food, you'll gain weight because your body isn't burning as many calories. Exercise speeds up your metabolism and helps control weight.
- Exercise increases muscle strength. Regular exercise increases your strength and improves your balance, which makes your heart healthy and reduces your risk for fractures.
- Exercise helps build and maintain healthy bones. Regular weight-bearing exercise keeps your bones healthy and wards off conditions like osteoporosis.
- Exercise builds endurance and strength. By exercising regularly, you can keep your body strong and improve your stamina.
- Exercise lowers your risk for diseases. People who exercise regularly lower their risk for cardiovascular disease, colon cancer, diabetes, and stroke. They also have lower blood pressure and lower cholesterol.
- Exercise helps you manage stress. Exercise also helps you relax and helps reduce feelings of depression and anxiety.
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