The warm, sunny weather of spring and summer is the perfect time to get outdoors. Residents of Ontario retirement homes have a lot to do, from going to parks, fishing, swimming, and more.
An outdoor activity that active seniors enjoy is golf. In fact, in many countries, it is one of the most popular sports among older adults. According to a study, they love golf because it’s fun, competitive, and is a great way to enjoy the outdoors.
However, golf is more than just a fun outdoor activity. Retirement community residents can also enjoy the many health benefits it brings.
Health Benefits of Golfing for Independent Living Residents
To the untrained eye, golf may seem like just a lot of standing around and hitting the ball a few times. Doesn’t sound like a lot of physical activity, right?
Regularly playing golf has been found to have a lot of benefits to your health. Before looking for golf courses by senior residences near you, let’s look at the health benefits of golf.
Physical Fitness
According to Golf Digest, you can burn as much as 1,442 calories by playing an 18-hole match. That’s because you walk around 5-miles to finish an 18-hole round. Contrary to what some believe, golf requires a lot of walking.
This makes golf perfect when you want regular physical activity. It can be a great cardio workout. Plus, you get to squeeze in some exercise while you’re having fun.
Build Muscle and Bone Strength
Walking provides a lot of benefits for active seniors in independent living. It is great for your heart and lungs; it strengthens your bones and boosts your muscle power.
Since golf requires a lot of walking, you’re sure to get all these benefits and more.
Longevity
Research from the Cardiovascular Health Study found that golfers had more than 8% lower death rate than those who don’t play golf. There can be plenty of factors to this, from consistent exercise to fresh air, and more.
Improve Brain Health
Golf requires a lot of concentration, mental calculations, and more. You need to calculate the depth of the grass, and wind direction, and come up with the best strategies. All this mind-work is perfect for keeping your brain sharp.
Boost Mental Health
Doing exercise in any form helps release endorphins that make us feel good. You’re breathing fresh air while surrounded by greenery. It helps reduce stress and anxiety.
Keeps You Social
Golf is the perfect outdoor activity to enjoy with friends from your retirement community. Playing regularly helps you feel a sense of community with other golfers. Plus, it’s an excellent way to meet new people who have the same interest as yours.
Senior Residences Near You
Here at Livita Retirement Residences, we believe that a balanced lifestyle is a better lifestyle. This philosophy ensures we are always on top of creating programs and activities that keep our residents active and engaged.
Learn more about what our retirement community has to offer! Contact us today to speak with one of our friendly staff members.
