3. Dancing
Working out does not need to be a chore, and cooler weather doesn’t mean your only option is hitting the treadmill at the gym. Instead, turn on your favorite beats and get moving.
The benefits of dancing are numerous, whether you’re grooving to your favorite song as a solo dancer or taking a class with others. For example, in a small study, researchers asked 36 women (with an average age of 57) to take dance classes together three times a week for 16 weeks. At the end of those four months, participants had better cholesterol numbers, improved balance and strength, and even higher self-esteem.
“And with dance, or any class that’s unfamiliar to you, you’re learning something new,” he adds. The novelty can make the pursuit exciting.
If a live, in-person group class isn’t an option, try apps like Steezy and iDance that have a range of classes at all levels and include free tryout periods.
“Even if you just dance around your living room to one song, that tends to give you a boost in terms of health and mood,” Dr. Kaiser says. Doing movements you enjoy will make it easier to stick with.
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