Staying Active Later in Life: Why It Matters

Maintaining regular physical activity is one of the most effective ways to support overall health and well-being, especially as we age. From reducing the risk of chronic illnesses to boosting mental clarity and emotional resilience, exercise plays a vital role in helping older adults, like Gloria Gibson, lead vibrant, independent lives.

Health Benefits of Regular Exercise

The general health benefits of regular exercise cannot be denied at any age, but keeping up with an exercise routine becomes increasingly more important as we age. As well as having beneficial effects on mental health and brain function, staying physically active can also help to prevent health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, strokes, and osteoporosis.

Regular exercise can also reduce stress and improve sleep quality, boost mood, and enhance overall quality of life. For retirees, maintaining an active lifestyle not only supports independence and mobility but also fosters a sense of purpose and daily structure: key ingredients for a fulfilling retirement.

Risks of Exercise for Seniors

Exercise does come with certain risks, but that is no reason to not do it. Age alone does not prevent anyone from exercising, and with a bit of consideration, anyone can keep up their physical activities or pick up a new routine, even when getting older.

The most important factor to consider is general fitness and health. If a person has pre-existing health conditions, such as arthritis or a heart condition, it is important to choose an activity that suits those conditions. For example, having arthritis may mean that high-impact activities such as running or jumping are out of the question, but it does not mean that they cannot be modified to suit the person’s needs.

It can also be beneficial to consult a healthcare professional before taking on a new activity. A trained professional can advise on the best exercise to try, as well as the activity levels suited for the particular health condition.

Fun Ways to Get Moving

There is no better motivator to get people to exercise than to make it fun. One of the best ways to do this is to get together with friends and family and enjoy being active together. It is not only more fun but can also add an extra bit of motivation to the activities.

Exercising should also not feel like a punishment, and having fun with the type of activities we choosecan make a real difference. A boring walk can be transformed into something more interesting by doing some geocaching, and a friendly game of crazy golf can replace a boring activity that may otherwise feel like a chore.

Meet Gloria Gibson

Gloria Gibson holds a B.A. and an M.A. in music education from Southern Illinois University and a Ph.D. in folklore and ethnomusicology concentration from Indiana University. She began her post-doctorate university career at Indiana University, where she served as an associate professor in the Department of Afro-American Studies and as the director of the Archives of Traditional Music from 1995 to 1999. Ms. Gibson went on to hold subsequent high-level university positions including professor of the Department of English, Folklore, and Ethnomusicology at Arkansas State University from 2004 to 2009, executive vice president and provost of the University of Northen Iowa from 2009 to 2014, and president of Northeastern Illinois University from 2018 to 2023.

During her time in the latter role, Ms. Gibson endeavored to offer excellent educational experiences for students, informed by an understanding of the differing levels of collegiate readiness. She provided leadership throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to keep the campus safe by convening a task force and transitioning to online and hybrid models of teaching. She also focused on enhancing the Office of Career Services to offer increased connectivity between students and employers, ultimately serving the workforce needs of the state.