You don’t have to be completely mobile to reap the advantages of exercise. Even if your mobility has been limited by injury, sickness, or weight issues, there are still many ways to use exercise to improve your mood, reduce melancholy, relieve stress and anxiety, increase your self-esteem, and improve your overall outlook on life.
Any physical exercise that causes your heart to beat quicker might benefit your health. Some action is preferable to none. The Guidelines urge that all individuals, with or without impairments, get at least 150 minutes (2.5 hours) of aerobic physical exercise each week for even higher health advantages. Activities can be divided into smaller chunks, such as 25 minutes each day, on a daily basis. Additional health advantages can be obtained by engaging in muscle-strengthening exercises such as modified yoga or resistance band work.
Types of Exercise Possible with Limited Mobility
It’s vital to remember that any form of exercise is beneficial to your health. Some forms of exercise are inherently simpler than others due to mobility limitations, but regardless of your physical circumstances, you should attempt to integrate three main types of exercise into daily routines:
Exercises that boost your heart rate and improve your endurance are known as cardiovascular exercises. Walking, running, cycling, dancing, tennis, swimming, water aerobics, or “aqua jogging” are examples of these activities. Water exercise is especially good for persons with mobility concerns since it supports the body and lowers the chance of muscular or joint soreness. It is feasible to engage in cardiovascular exercise even if you are restricted to a chair or wheelchair.
Weights or other forms of resistance are used in strength training activities to increase muscle and bone mass, enhance balance, and avoid falls. If your legs are limited in mobility, you should concentrate on upper-body strength exercise.
Flexibility exercises improve your range of motion, help you avoid injury, and relieve pain and stiffness. Stretching activities and yoga are examples of them. Even if you have limited mobility in your legs, for example, stretches and flexibility exercises can help you avoid or delay additional muscle atrophy.
Beginning an Exercise Routine
Begin slowly and progressively increase your degree of activity. Begin with an exercise you love, move at your own speed, and set reasonable objectives for yourself. Even simple fitness objectives can help you acquire confidence in your body and keep you motivated.
Make exercise a regular component of your routine. To avoid boredom, schedule your workouts at the same time each day and mix up the activities you do.
Don’t give up. A new activity takes roughly a month to become a habit. To stay motivated, write down your reasons for exercising as well as a list of goals and place them somewhere noticeable.
Overcoming Mental and Emotional Barriers to Exercise
Don’t be concerned about your movement or health. Rather than stressing about the events you won’t be able to participate in, focus on the ones you will.
You’ll need to be more inventive to discover an exercise regimen that works for you as your physical limitations increase. If you used to like running or cycling but can no longer do so due to an accident, handicap, or sickness, be willing to try new workouts. It’s highly likely that after a little trial and error, you’ll find something you appreciate just as much.
When you make an attempt to exercise, even if it isn’t particularly successful at first, be proud of yourself. The more you practice, the simpler it will become.
Contact Empowered Liveability now to learn more about how our accessible SDA Housing Melbourne and universal design solutions for Disability Housing Investment can make your home completely accessible and improve your quality of life. For more information please contact us at 1300-974-912 and admin@empoweredliveability.com.au.
