Exercising Tips

Incorporate exercise into your summer with these helpful tips!

Staying active is one of the most powerful ways to support overall wellness and age gracefully—but how you move matters just as much as how often you move.

One of the most important principles is to progress slowly and build over time. Rapid increases in intensity or volume can stress joints, ligaments, and tendons, especially as we age or recover from inactivity. Gradual progression allows your muscles, cardiovascular system, and nervous system to adapt safely, reducing the risk of injury and building true resilience.

Cross-training is another essential piece of safe, long-term fitness. Instead of doing the same workout every day, mixing up your routine—such as alternating walking, resistance training, swimming, and yoga—helps reduce overuse injuries while supporting a more well-rounded body. It strengthens different muscle groups, improves balance and coordination, and keeps things interesting mentally, which boosts consistency over time.

Perhaps the most underrated tool is the ability to listen to your body. Pushing through pain or fatigue can lead to setbacks, especially in midlife or beyond when recovery may take longer. Learning to notice when you need rest, recovery, or a lighter movement day helps you stay in the game longer and makes your workouts more intuitive and enjoyable.

To keep things fresh and fun, try more out-of-the-box ideas, like exercising with music that elevates your mood or doing outdoor “movement snacks” throughout the day—short bursts of walking, mobility, or bodyweight exercises in between work or errands. Joining a small group class, trying a new sport, or incorporating playful movement (like dancing or paddleboarding) can turn fitness into something you look forward to, rather than a chore. Ultimately, sustainable movement should feel empowering, not punishing—something that supports your health, sharpens your mind, and carries you well into every season of life.