Active Ageing
Remaining in good health physically, mentally, and emotionally is what defines well-being and happiness for us all, at any age – including later life. At EMD UK, we understand that health is wealth – especially as you get older.
Today, people are living longer than ever before, and that’s a great thing indeed. According to Age UK, there are currently 15.3 million people in the UK aged 60 and above – a figure set to pass the 20 million mark by 2030. However, it’s important to understand that our health and wellbeing needs to change as we get older. If we wish to maintain our health and longevity and reduce the risks of physical and mental disability, it’s vital that we are proactive in our efforts to keep ourselves fit, active, and socially engaged, so we can enjoy the very best of what life has to offer after retirement.
We like to place focus on four key areas:
Exercise
There is nothing more satisfying than the feel-good factor we experience after a good work out. As we get older, that work out can take many forms of physical movement – from a spot of gardening, through to taking part in sports and group exercise classes. It is also important to understand how our fitness requirements should change in line with our lifestyles and our bodies.
Nutrition
Did you know life expectancy has doubled in the UK over the past 200 years? Of course, there are many contributing factors for this increase in life expectancy, including our own understanding of our nutritional needs. As we age these needs change. Our bodies require the right balance of nutrients to function at its best. Taking the time to understand what your body needs can lead to a happier, healthier lifestyle and life.
Making Friends and Staying Connected
If we are to believe what we read in the press, we can conclude loneliness and isolation is an epidemic which has a widespread impact across our society. Regardless of age, it is important to stay connected, meet new people and get involved in our communities. The older we get, the harder this can sometimes be but there are many ways you can avoid the feeling of loneliness, including special interest groups and local group exercise classes.
Mental Health and Wellbeing
Reports suggest that loneliness and mental health issues are on the rise. Unfortunately, it seems these symptoms are having an impact on people from all walks of life, across the generations. More than ever, we are living in a 24/7 society where the world never seems to stop for a second, and it is all too easy to let life get on top of us. A sure-fire way to prevent life’s stresses from taking their toll on our mental health is to engage in physical group activity.
Active aging has been one of our key driving principles since we first formed in 2006, when our founding organisations – The Medau Society, FLexercise, and the Keep Fit Association (KFA) – joined forces to form an umbrella body for exercise, movement and dance. Our founder organisations are some of the most established experts in group exercise offering a range of exercises suitable for all ages, particularly older adults looking for a challenging yet safe and fun exercise experience.
Click on the pictures below to find out more about them and find a class near you.
