6 things a physio wishes people over 60 would stop doing
As we get older, staying physically healthy becomes increasingly important, and for those over 60, mindful movement practices and self-care is essential.
While it’s natural to slow down with age, certain habits can restrict mobility, cause unnecessary strain, or even result in long-term injury.
We spoke with physiotherapist Lucy Macdonald from RestartPhysio, who highlighted six common habits and mindsets she frequently encounters in her patients over 60, and also offered some advice on how to overcome them.
1. Doing too much too soon
“This is the number one cause of the injuries and pain I see,” says Macdonald. “Sudden increases in activity levels, or doing something that your body has not done for a while is a great way of getting injured.”Instead, try to increase activity levels in small increments.“Break down tasks like digging flower beds or painting the house, and put in some training before you take on the grandkids playing football,” recommends the physio.
2. Thinking ‘strength training isn’t for me’
“As we get older, strength training becomes more and more important to prevent muscle wasting and build the muscles that will prevent injury,” explains Macdonald. “It’s never too late and it doesn’t have to be hugely time-consuming.
“Two half-hour sessions a week using weights to work all the main muscle groups is all it takes. Just be sure to start low and build in small increments or, even better, do it under the guidance of a physiotherapist.”
3. Believing the best days are over
Don’t put limitations on yourself – age is just a number!
“Some of the fittest people I’ve met have been in their 70s and this was down to choosing a retirement lifestyle that revolves around looking after the body and mind,” shares Macdonald.
“In our 40s and 50s many people have dependents to look after – old and young – and careers in full swing, so the time available to dedicate exercise, rest and good nutrition are limited. But, when we get older we often have more time to do enjoyable activities that are good for the body and mind and lead to far better health.”
4. Expecting to get away with the bad habits of youthNeglecting the key fundamentals – sleep, exercise and diet – will quickly catch up on you and negatively impact your health.
“Despite the reduced time pressures of growing older, we cannot avoid the fact that our bodies take longer to recover and we therefore can’t get away with bad habits like poor nutrition, reduced sleep and sporadic exercising,” stresses Macdonald.
5. Being afraid of taking up something new
“It’s never too late to take up a new activity or form of exercise,” emphasises Macdonald. “There’s so much on offer, the key is to find something you love with people you enjoy being around, that way you’ll stick at it, which is the key to long-term health.”
6. Thinking decline in balance and increasing risk of falls is inevitable
“This is not the case, if you work on your balance you’ll see results, if you don’t it will decline,” says Macdonald. “By doing a few minutes exercises a day you prevent falling, which is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in older people.”
The physio recommends incorporating balance exercises into your everyday routine by adding them onto an already established habit.
“For example, while you are cleaning your teeth, stand on one leg at a time with your eyes closed and your hands hovering over something to support you if you need it,” advises Macdonald.
