As we age, we naturally begin to lose elasticity in our connective tissue. Without intervention, it’s common for seniors to lose mobility and range of motion. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to help. Improve your flexibility by doing these four things every day.

1. Stretch

Setting aside time to stretch each day is one of the best ways to improve your flexibility. But it’s important to make sure you’re doing a variety of stretches, because they all impact your body in different ways. 

For the most improvement, you need to do isometric, static, and dynamic stretching exercises. Isometric stretching involves contracting and relaxing your muscles while holding a position. Static stretching means you stay in a position for a longer length of time and rest between stretches. And in dynamic stretching, you complete a set of repetitions of the same movement. 

2. Follow a Healthy Diet

What you eat has a significant impact on your flexibility. That’s because certain nutrients help your joints and connective tissue function well. A healthy diet can also help reduce inflammation in your body and strengthen your bones and immune system, all of which are important to retaining strength and flexibility. 

So look for rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids, like fish, flax seeds, and pumpkin seeds to help with joint flexibility. And add more leafy greens, dried fruits, and oatmeal to your diet to boost your calcium levels. 

It’s a good idea to increase your consumption of nuts, citrus fruits, like oranges, and legumes, like lentils and chickpeas, too. They provide the collagen your connective tissue needs to stay flexible.  

3. Take a Supplement

It can sometimes be difficult for seniors to get all the nutrition they need through diet alone. If you’re not able to eat enough healthy foods to give your body the nutrients it needs, consider taking a supplement. It may give you the boost in flexibility you’ve been looking for. 

For example, calcium and vitamin D are important to the health of your bones and joints, so if you aren’t getting enough in your diet, a supplement may help. Glucosamine and chondroitin are also good choices that have been shown to improve flexibility. 

Talk to your physician about whether a supplement could be helpful for you.

4. Exercise

Certain types of exercise are wonderful for improving your flexibility. And if you find it difficult to stick to stand-alone stretching, they may be more enjoyable. So if you like music, rituals, or meditation, improving flexibility through exercise could be perfect for you.

Dancing, pilates, yoga, and tai chi are all very effective ways to improve your flexibility. Plus, they help you relax, develop your mind-body connection, and release tension from your muscles. Set time aside every day for your preferred activity, or rotate between them if you prefer variety.

Actively working to improve your flexibility will help you stay strong, reduce aches and pains, and maximize your range of motion as you age. So set aside time to stretch or exercise and eat healthy foods every day. You’ll see results in no time!

Need a little help improving your flexibility? At Normandy Living, we make it easy to reach your goals! For instance, improving your diet is as simple as enjoying the delicious, healthy meals offered by our talented culinary team. And all residents have access to our fitness room and socio-recreational programs to help you stay active, too. Learn more about what we offer here.