We all know exercise is key to good heath and even a little bit goes a long way in improving physical health and mental health. This is true for people of all ages. You are never too late to get moving, get stronger and improve your health. This is great news for people of all ages. Seniors can get moving and parents can model good behaviors that will impact their children to strive for improved health and fitness. Fitness can be fun. Finding something you enjoy doing and for children making a game of it. Play is life's work! NY Connects can assist you in finding exercise opportunities in your area.
Regular physical exercise can maintain or improve your strength, balance, reduce stress levels, improve your outlook on life and make you feel capable. It really can be fun and social depending on what you like to do. Look for ways to improve your strength, balance, flexibility and endurance. Endurance exercise can improve your heart and lungs. How about a brisk walk indoors for winter times or dancing to your favorite music? There are places in Chautauqua County that you can go indoors to walk - The Jamestown ice arena, Chautauqua Mall, some public school buildings - after school hours have a course through the building for walking. Many areas of the county have walking groups making it fun and accountable for getting together and getting your exercise in. It helps to have another person encouraging you to get up and out to these programs. You can be social and enjoy others company while you are walking to increase your endurance. After a time these types of exercises can help you have the endurance to mow the lawn or climb steps easier than before you started the walking.
Strengthening exercises like using weights or resistance bands can increase your muscle strength making it easier to carry grocery bags or lifting children. Always talk with your health care provider about starting a new exercise plan and making sure you start safely and continue under a doctor's supervision. Here in Chautauqua County, we have a healthy bones exercise class available, this class will help increase your strength, may increase bone density, balance and energy - call NY Connects for opportunities near you. Balance exercises are also for people of all ages. They can help reduce the risk of falling - a major health risk for senior citizens. Children enjoy balance exercises as a game like hop scotch and balance beams. Tai Chi is an ancient art form that uses gentle flowing movements. Cable channel Access 5 has been showing the classes on TV at 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. The health benefits are in improving your posture, balance, flexibility and strength. There are some Tai Chi classes starting up in Chautauqua County - if interested in supporting a class in your area, call NY Connects for resources. Flexibility/stretching can give you more freedom of movement that will help you in many ways - tying your shoes, turning your head to see and reducing aches and pains of arthritis.
NY Connects is your one-stop call for Chautauqua County community-based supports to help you find formal exercise classes, find assistance and help you navigate the programs and supports you may need to know about to stay active and healthy in your community. Call for yourself, call for a loved one, call for a neighbor. The NY Connects telephone help line is brought to you locally by a partnership between the Chautauqua County Office for the Aging and the Chautauqua County Department of Social Services. It is available to all at no cost with no restrictions of age or abilities - call NY Connects with your questions or planning needs and we can connect you with valuable information to help you plan for future needs. You can access this service by phone: Mayville 753-4582; Dunkirk 363-4582; and Jamestown 661-7852. Also available is email ccnyc@co.chautauqua.ny.us or drop in for a face-to-face in Mayville at 7 N. Erie St. in the HRC building at the county offices. The fax number is 753-4477.
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