Physical exercise is not only essential for your bones, muscles and brain health, but also for your emotional health and wellbeing too.

Now, as an elderly or older adults, nobody would expect you to run up and down the equivalent of Mount Kilimanjaro every morning before your cornflakes, but in an effort to help you stay as healthy as possible for as long as possible, continue reading.

Here are four low-impact yet effective exercises for older adults and the elderly.

1. Yoga

Far from being in the sole remit of 1970s hippies, yoga is one of the most fashionable and simultaneously effective ways of keeping your body as supple and flexible as possible.

There are endless positions and exercises within the bracket of yoga, which means the practice is suitable for older people and even those with limited mobility, as long as you follow the direction of the instructor.

Furthermore, not only is yoga fantastic for your physical health, but the dep-breathing and meditative nature of yoga also serves to boost your mental health and wellbeing too.

2. Light Strength Training

Another excellent idea for older adults who are focused on keeping their mind and body fit and healthy for the long term is to look into light strength training.

Strength training for older adults boasts myriad benefits, including:

• Improved coordination and balance
• Helps to maintain a healthy weight and BMI
• A way to strengthen bones and muscles
• Aiding an improvement to insulin sensitivity
• A way to enhance the experience of everyday life

An emphasis on physical health is also at the forefront of care and treatment plans in memory care facilities too, as staff in such communities are trained to encourage their residents to get outside and get moving.

3. Swimming

For water babies of all ages, swimming is often cited as the best form of exercise for anybody, of any age and any mobility range.

Swimming helps to build endurance and core muscle strength, reduces the risk of contracting heart disease and other more serious issues, encourages socialization and importantly, also helps with breathing and the overall health and function of the lungs.

Swimming, even just moving around gently in the water, just once or twice a fortnight is essentially a full body workout and as such, you should consider joining a local swimming club for seniors as soon as you can.

4. Tai Chi

The fourth and final suggestion for older people who want to take care of their bodies and improve their overall levels of health and wellbeing is to start taking lessons in tai chi.

There are numerous benefits to be found in the ancient Chinese practice of tai chi, including a better night's sleep, a way to relieve stiff and painful joints, an improvement in how flexible your body becomes and many different benefits to your cardiovascular health.

Tai chi is also a great option for those who experience chronic pain and for those who spend large amounts of time on their own, as the physical artform is a social experience.