{"id":12134,"date":"2017-06-23T07:00:27","date_gmt":"2017-06-23T12:00:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.senioradvisor.com\/blog\/?p=12134"},"modified":"2017-06-26T14:57:40","modified_gmt":"2017-06-26T19:57:40","slug":"12-ways-for-seniors-to-stay-safe-on-daily-walks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/d30braiqprupoq.cloudfront.net\/blog\/2017\/06\/12-ways-for-seniors-to-stay-safe-on-daily-walks\/","title":{"rendered":"12 Ways for Seniors To Stay Safe on Daily Walks"},"content":{"rendered":"

12 Ways for Seniors To Stay Safe on Daily Walks\"12<\/a><\/h1>\n

By the time you\u2019re a senior, you\u2019ve probably heard the recommendation to exercise regularly thousands of times. If you haven\u2019t managed to make a work out routine part of your life by now, it may feel like it\u2019s helpless to try now, but it\u2019s not.<\/p>\n

Committing to regular exercise only becomes more important in your senior years, it can help ward off a lot of the illnesses and injuries seniors commonly have to worry about. And you don\u2019t have to do intense cardio or weight training to get some of those benefits; you can get a lot of committing to daily walks<\/strong><\/a>*<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Most of the excuses you can think of to avoid daily exercise go out the window when we\u2019re just talking about a 20-30 minute walk each day \u2013 especially once you\u2019ve learned about all the benefits daily walks can bring for your muscles, circulation, joints, and mood. But one excuse may still plague you: the concern about safety.<\/p>\n

By taking a few proactive steps, you can vastly reduce any risk associated with taking a daily walk. Here\u2019s how you do it.<\/p>\n

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  1. Check the weather before you go.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    You don\u2019t want to be caught in a thunderstorm unprepared, or find yourself overdressed and without water in 90\u00b0 heat. To make sure you dress properly and are prepared for the weather you\u2019ll face, take 30 seconds to check the day\u2019s weather before you leave. Now and then, the weather will be bad enough to make it worth skipping your walk that day, but most days it will simply give you a head\u2019s up so you know how to be prepared for what\u2019s expected.<\/p>\n

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    1. Wear sunscreen.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      On sunny days, get sunscreen on before you head out. This will both keep you from dealing with a dreaded sunburn and aid in skin cancer prevention<\/strong><\/a>. As an added bonus, it can also slow the look of aging<\/strong><\/a> on your skin, if that\u2019s something that matters to you.<\/p>\n

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      1. Take water<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        Staying properly hydrated is extremely important, especially during the summer when heat stroke is a risk. Grab a water bottle holder<\/strong><\/a> that makes it easier to take water with you while you walk and be sure to remember to grab it each time you go out.<\/p>\n

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        1. Take a phone so you don\u2019t get lost and can call for help if needed.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          Who knows how we ever got help in moments of emergency before cell phones, but there\u2019s no reason to take the risk of getting stuck hurt a few minutes from your house with no easy way to get home or call for help. Stick your phone in your pocket before you leave. If you have a smartphone, as an added bonus, you\u2019ll have GPS to help direct you home if you get lost.<\/p>\n

          Do be careful not to be messing with your phone while you walk, since distracted walking<\/strong><\/a> presents its own risks. But do have it on you in case you sprain an ankle or can\u2019t seem to find your home street.<\/p>\n

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          1. Wear good shoes<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

            The wrong shoes will leave you with blisters and pain on your walk. You need something comfortable that provides enough support for your feet. If you don\u2019t already own a good pair of shoes for walking, go ahead and make an investment<\/strong><\/a>. The cost will pay off in the health benefits you get from taking regular, safer walks.<\/p>\n

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            1. Know your limits \u2013 don\u2019t stray too far.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

              You don\u2019t want to find yourself stuck an hour\u2019s walk away from home and feeling too exhausted to get all the way back. Pay attention to how far you\u2019re walking on the first leg of your walk so you don\u2019t stray too far, and get to know the streets close to your home. Take advantage of blocks and side streets to get a good walk in without having to go too far, and don\u2019t push yourself too hard when you\u2019re just starting out.<\/p>\n

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              1. Obey traffic laws.<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                Everything else on this list matters, but none of it is about a risk that has stakes as high as the possibility of getting hit by a car on your walk. Stick to sidewalks where they\u2019re available and walk facing traffic when they\u2019re not. Try to cross the street at intersections where cars will be more likely to be looking out for pedestrians and, of course, always look both ways before crossing the street.<\/p>\n

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                1. If you go out at night, wear bright colors or a reflective vest.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                  Nighttime walkers should always dress to make themselves easier for drivers to see. Reflective clothing is ideal, since it will definitely ensure you stand out. But if you don\u2019t have any reflective clothing yet, stick with white or another light color that will be easier for people to see in the dark.<\/p>\n

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                  1. If you wear headphones, keep the volume low enough so you can still hear cars.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                    Some people like listening to music or podcasts while on a walk, which is fine \u2013 unless you keep it so loud that you won\u2019t hear any cars coming up behind you. To stay more aware of your surroundings, make sure you only listen to headphones if you know you\u2019ll also be able to hear other noises as well, and keep the volume at a safe level.<\/p>\n