By Richard Dunn, Director
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services

Getting fit is a lot easier than many people think, and being active not only improves your health, but can give you more energy and postpone disability. We know that when older people get moving, they can reduce their blood pressure, relieve pain associated with arthritis and reduce stress and anxiety. No matter how old you are, physical activity can be incorporated into your daily routine.

You can easily tailor your activities to your lifestyle and fitness level - being active isn’t about running a marathon, but about moving and having fun. Many older adults enjoy dancing or walking around the block with a close friend or loved one. Others like to garden or do light yard work. Experts agree that a person should try to be active thirty minutes a day on most days, but if you can’t do thirty minutes, try breaking it up into ten minute intervals throughout your day.

The goal of physical activity is to make you feel better and live better. If you have a special health condition, or if you haven’t been active in a while, it’s a good idea to check with your doctor before you start.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services has been working hard to promote physical activity. During the past few years, we’ve helped to build several community walking trails, helped local communities make their parks safer places to be active and developed educational materials that motivate Missourians to get moving. Our nationally recognized network of seven regional arthritis centers (RACs) regularly hosts physical activity classes across Missouri. Because physical activity is so important to overall health, you’ll see us dedicate even more resources in the coming years aimed to get Missourians moving!

If you would like to know more about what the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services is doing to promote physical activity in your community, give us a call at 573-751-6062 or visit us online at www.dhss.state.mo.us.