Since 1992
Print and digital marketing
By Linda Hildonen,
Marketing Associate at Schooner Estates
AUBURN — As we get older, we may find it hard to stay active. Energy levels fall and we can become more prone to injury.
The active exercises and hobbies that we participated in during our youth can become unappealing or even daunting. Full-contact sports and long-distance runs may be very impractical options for older adults. Luckily, there’s one form of exercise that is low-impact, highly accessible, and can get you where you need to go: Walking.
Walking has plenty of benefits for people of all ages, including weight management, improved circulation, lowered blood pressure, and improved posture and balance. Best of all, it will help your mood and outlook!
Maine is a wonderful state for walking, with its beautiful scenery and many safe neighborhoods. There are even many options for walking indoors during the colder months.
HealthyMaineWalks.com is a website that can help you find a great place to walk near your own home. You can search by town or zip code, indicate whether you’re interested in an outdoor or an indoor walk, and even choose a variety of features you’re interested in, like lighted parking lots and water fountains.
The results will tell you the difficulty and length of an individual walking path, as well as details like hours of operation and what organization owns and maintains the property.
Many indoor malls offer walking programs, to give older adults a safe, weather-proof option for staying active. The Auburn Mall and The Maine Mall both open their doors to walkers two hours before the stores open Monday through Friday: 8 a.m. in Auburn and 6 a.m. in South Portland.
For seniors looking to make the move to a retirement community, it’s a good idea to make sure that the property has plenty of indoor and outdoor space to take a stroll.
Staying active as we age doesn’t have to be a chore. Getting out and walking a few times a week will help to keep you going for many years to come. With all of the options our great state has to offer, you’ll want to be able to enjoy them for as long as possible.
