Latest news with #ActNow
Edinburgh Reporter
28-05-2025
- Health
- Edinburgh Reporter
Act Now Age Better campaign
Age Scotland's Act Now, Age Better campaign urges older people think about how to increase their chances of a healthy later life. Lifestyle medicine doctor, personal trainer and health coach Dr Hussian Al-Zubaidi said: 'We can all take meaningful steps towards leading a longer, healthier, and more fulfilling life.' New research released by Age Scotland has found that more than half of people in Scotland aged between 50 and 65 don't do enough or any physical activity to stay healthy as they age. When asked how physically active they are, 53% of respondents to a poll said they didn't do enough or any physical exercise. The research also found that three quarters of people in Scotland in that age group worried about staying healthy in later life, and 64% were concerned about losing their independence as they age. The figures have been published as part of a new Act Now, Age Better campaign from Age Scotland and their partners Age UK, which hopes to start a national conversation about how becoming more physically active in our 50s and 60s can improve the chances of a happier, healthier and more independent later life. While many over 50s are taking positive steps to age better, misconceptions and barriers to participation in physical activities are holding others back, threatening long-term health outcomes. Another finding showed that over half of adults aged 50-65 substantially underestimated the recommended weekly guidelines for physical activity which include at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise, aiming to combine this with muscle-strengthening activities twice a week. The charity believes that this lack of awareness could lead to missed opportunities for preventative health benefits, such as reducing the risk of chronic diseases, improving mobility, and fostering good mental health. With an ageing population, people are living longer but not necessarily living longer in good health. With the right choices in midlife, we can help ourselves to maintain a healthier later life. Simple steps in our 50s and 60s can lead to major benefits down the road. Katherine Crawford, chief executive of Age Scotland, said: 'We know that staying physically active as we start to age is one of the best things we can do to maintain our physical health and mental wellbeing in later life. Yet as the research shows, it can be extremely challenging to do enough or any exercise, despite knowing the benefits. 'Health issues, feeling unfit, fear of injury, lack of time, cost concerns, embarrassment and intimidation have all been cited as barriers to people undertaking exercise. Some even, wrongly, believe that they are too old to start exercising when in truth it is never too late. 'The Act Now, Age Better campaign shows that even a small amount of movement can make a big difference. Making regular physical activity a key part of our routine is one of the best ways to stay well and therefore sustain our health, wellbeing and independence in later life.' Lifestyle medicine doctor, personal trainer and health coach Dr Hussian Al-Zubaidi has worked with the campaign to create a new leaflet outlining some simple, effective ways to add more activity to our lives. Dr Al-Zubaidi said: 'Physical activity is the cornerstone of healthy ageing – it strengthens our bodies, sharpens our minds, and deepens our community connections. There is no other intervention with better evidence to support longevity. By embracing movement every day, we build the resilience needed to enjoy a fuller, more vibrant later life. 'As a Lifestyle GP and personal trainer, I have seen first-hand the impact physical activity can have when improving your health and, as a result, I'm proud to support the Act Now, Age Better campaign to encourage everyone to tap into this power of movement. We can all take meaningful steps towards leading a longer, healthier, and more fulfilling life.' Like this: Like Related
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
How doing squats between emails could boost your health in midlife
Nearly half of UK adults (47 per cent) aged 50 to 65 say they are not getting enough exercise, despite most being concerned about their future health, a new Age UK poll reveals. In addition, out of the 2,100 UK adults surveyed, 22 per cent said health issues prevented them from doing exercise, while 19% said feeling unfit was a barrier. In light of these new statistics, Age UK has launched its Act Now, Age Better campaign, urging people in their 50s to adopt small, healthy changes. We spoke with TV doctor Dr Hussain Al-Zubaidi, a GP with expertise in lifestyle medicine, to find out why cementing healthy habits in midlife is so crucial. 'This midlife section is so important, because what I see in a lot of my patients is that they work themselves to the bone, so when they get to retirement, they don't have the health to enjoy it,' he recognises. ' So, we have to make sure that we do prioritise our health and our time in that chunk of life, because before you know it you'll reach an age where you can't claw this back.' He has shared the following five simple habits we can all adopt to help improve our health and wellbeing in midlife and beyond. 'Over the past 80/90 years, gadgets that we enjoy using have made movement become an activity that you have to find time for, while before it was what you needed to do, to get around, to wash your clothes, to prepare meals etc,' recognises Al-Zubaidi. 'So, my first tip is to look at how you can re-engineer movement back into your life. Think about how you can make your day-to-day life physically harder.' One thing that Al-Zubaidi does himself is put unnecessary items in his work rucksack to make it heavier during his 15-minute commute to work every day. 'I am doing the same walk with much heavier weight,' says Al-Zubaidi. 'I'm increasing the intensity and getting a bit of strength as well, while not having to use up any more minutes in the day. 'You could also park in the furthest space from the supermarket or take the stairs rather than the escalator.' 'Integrate habits into your day with things that are already happening,' recommends Al-Zubaidi. 'We call that habit attachment. So, if you're already sending emails throughout the day, before replying to an email do three squats. 'By attaching a small amount of activity to activities which you already do, before you know it you're going to be doing lots of little bits of movement throughout the day which all add up.' 'Just 500 more steps of walking per day reduces your cardiovascular disease risk by 7% [according to research published in 2023], so that's significant over your lifetime,' says Al-Zubaidi. 'Research also suggests that 150 minutes across the week of walking, in various chunks, lowers your risk of developing depression by 25%. And try to walk in green spaces if you can. 'Within five to 10 minutes of being outside in nature, your brain starts to change,' says Al-Zubaidi. 'Your memory sensors start to improve, it helps calm down your amygdala [a part of the brain that plays a central role in processing emotions, particularly fear] and can really help change your perspective on things.' 'I often talk about the perfect cocktail, which is physical activity done with others in a group, outside in nature,' says Al-Zubaidi. 'If you can combine those three things, then you have a lot of benefits coming from different directions, from the natural landscape to the community element, and that benefit of connectivity.' 'If you are taking on a new activity later in life (age 40 or over), such as running, then you need to do the groundwork first,' recommends Al-Zubaidi. 'Build the foundations first, such as strength and flexibility, and then when you start the activity, do it slowly and take your time to avoid injuries. 'Also, always listen to your body and don't think that you have to follow programmes that other people are doing, as they might not be suitable for you.' For more information, as well as advice and inspiration, from Dr Hussain Al-Zubaidi's informative guide to healthier ageing, please visit:
RTÉ News
29-04-2025
- Health
- RTÉ News
Helen Mirren urges midlife exercise for healthy ageing
Helen Mirren has told people in midlife not to "fear" ageing as she encouraged them to embrace exercise. The 79-year-old actress said people should make "little changes now to help them later in life". This "doesn't have to include joining a gym" but could include short walks or yoga, the Oscar winner said. It comes as Age UK said there is a "major concern" about people's physical health and wellbeing as they age. The charity has called on people aged 50 to 65 to make exercise a "key part" of their routine as part of its latest campaign. England's chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty said keeping fit in midlife is one of the "main preventive strategies" for staying healthy in older age. Backing the new campaign, Mirren, an Age UK ambassador, said: "Whatever you may think about ageing, it's something we must all try to embrace rather than fear. "It's no secret that for many, getting older will come with its complications - specifically there will likely be aches and pains along the way, getting out and about and living as independently as we're used to in our younger years may not be as easy to do. "This is why I'm supporting Age UK's Act Now, Age Better campaign, they're encouraging everyone in their 50s to make little changes now to help them later on in life. "It doesn't have to be joining a gym; it can just be small changes like taking a short walk or yoga, which I still enjoy. "It's never too late to start doing something, so why not give something a go while you're younger?" A new poll by Age UK found that 47% of 50 to 65-year-olds feel that they do not do enough exercise. Some 22% said health issues prevented them from doing exercise, while 19% said feeling unfit was a barrier, according to the Kantar survey of 2,100 UK adults aged 50-65. Almost one in five (18%) said a lack of time prevented them from regular exercise. Paul Farmer, chief executive at the charity, said: "Age UK's first major campaign aimed at people aged between 50 and 65 is driven by a major concern for the country's physical and mental wellbeing as we age. "Yet evidence shows that being more physically active, in whatever way works for us, and within our own capabilities, is great for our physical and mental health. "Even a small amount of movement can make a big difference. "Making regular physical activity a key part of our routine is one of the best ways to stay well and therefore sustain our health, wellbeing and independence in later life." Whitty said his 2023 report "included evidence demonstrating the beneficial effects of exercise, proposing that this should be one of our main preventive strategies for maintaining health into older age and for counteracting frailty-related physical impairment". He added: "I am therefore delighted that Age UK is launching a campaign targeted at people in midlife that encourages them to be physically active and I wish the charity success with its important initiative." Loose Women host Denise Welch, who is also an Age UK ambassador, said: "I've seen firsthand how tough life can be as we get older, and while there are some things that are always going to be out of our control, I'm a firm believer in the positive impact small changes in midlife can have on the quality of our later years."
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Dame Helen Mirren wants people to 'embrace rather than fear' ageing
Dame Helen Mirren has urged people in midlife not to "fear" ageing. The 79-year-old star - who has joined forces with charity Age UK to improve people's health as they grow older - has encouraged people in aged 50 to 65 to make "little changes now to help them later in life", and insisted that could be something as simple as yoga or short walks. The Age UK ambassador said in a statement: "Whatever you may think about ageing, it's something we must all try to embrace rather than fear. "It's no secret that for many, getting older will come with its complications - specifically there will likely be aches and pains along the way, getting out and about and living as independently as we're used to in our younger years may not be as easy to do. "This is why I'm supporting Age UK's Act Now, Age Better campaign, they're encouraging everyone in their 50s to make little changes now to help them later on in life. "It doesn't have to be joining a gym; it can just be small changes like taking a short walk or yoga, which I still enjoy. "It's never too late to start doing something, so why not give something a go while you're younger?" A new study by Kantar - which surveyed 2,100 UK adults aged 50 to 65 - has found that 45 percent of people don't think they do enough exercise. Although almost a quarter blame health issues on their lack of exercise, 19 percent have been put off by feeling unfit, with 18 percent blaming a lack of time. The charity's chief executive Paul Farmer said: "Age UK's first major campaign aimed at people aged between 50 and 65 is driven by a major concern for the country's physical and mental wellbeing as we age. "Yet evidence shows that being more physically active, in whatever way works for us, and within our own capabilities, is great for our physical and mental health. "Even a small amount of movement can make a big difference. "Making regular physical activity a key part of our routine is one of the best ways to stay well and therefore sustain our health, wellbeing and independence in later life."
Perth Now
29-04-2025
- Health
- Perth Now
Dame Helen Mirren wants people to 'embrace rather than fear' ageing
Dame Helen Mirren has urged people in midlife not to "fear" ageing. The 79-year-old star - who has joined forces with charity Age UK to improve people's health as they grow older - has encouraged people in aged 50 to 65 to make "little changes now to help them later in life", and insisted that could be something as simple as yoga or short walks. The Age UK ambassador said in a statement: "Whatever you may think about ageing, it's something we must all try to embrace rather than fear. "It's no secret that for many, getting older will come with its complications - specifically there will likely be aches and pains along the way, getting out and about and living as independently as we're used to in our younger years may not be as easy to do. "This is why I'm supporting Age UK's Act Now, Age Better campaign, they're encouraging everyone in their 50s to make little changes now to help them later on in life. "It doesn't have to be joining a gym; it can just be small changes like taking a short walk or yoga, which I still enjoy. "It's never too late to start doing something, so why not give something a go while you're younger?" A new study by Kantar - which surveyed 2,100 UK adults aged 50 to 65 - has found that 45 percent of people don't think they do enough exercise. Although almost a quarter blame health issues on their lack of exercise, 19 percent have been put off by feeling unfit, with 18 percent blaming a lack of time. The charity's chief executive Paul Farmer said: "Age UK's first major campaign aimed at people aged between 50 and 65 is driven by a major concern for the country's physical and mental wellbeing as we age. "Yet evidence shows that being more physically active, in whatever way works for us, and within our own capabilities, is great for our physical and mental health. "Even a small amount of movement can make a big difference. "Making regular physical activity a key part of our routine is one of the best ways to stay well and therefore sustain our health, wellbeing and independence in later life."
