Top 5 Things To Do In Lee County To Stay Active
There are many ways to enjoy Lee County’s weather, and not all of them necessitate a trip to the beach, although that is a great way to spend a day as well. Here are some activities that improve your health and wellness while providing you enjoyment.
#1 Biking
Bikes are entirely safe for people 50 plus. It’s a low-impact and low-stress workout. Biking allows your body to move in fluid motions that do not place undue stress on it. You can cycle for many years without causing harm to your body.
Weight gain is a significant concern, and older adults are not as active as they once were. Weight increase can result in health issues such as diabetes and heart disease.
Biking is a terrific method to stay active and lose weight while also being excellent for your heart as it improves its capacity.
To keep you going while biking, your body needs extra oxygen, causing your heart to work harder to maintain cells adequately oxygenated so they can produce the required energy.
As you improve as a biker, your heart becomes stronger, lowering your chances of developing a cardiac condition. Better oxygenation of the brain also means fewer memory-related disorders.
One of the best spots for bike riding is Sanibel Island! Biking in Sanibel Island you can expect to see sights like the historic lighthouse and the famous “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge.
There a ton of places to choose from to rent bikes on Periwinkle Way including, Billy’s Bike Rental or Finnimore’s Bike and Beach Rentals.
#2 Canoeing & Kayaking
Canoeing and kayaking are enjoyable ways to strengthen your upper body while using the paddle to propel the vessel through the water. You can observe an increase in the chest, arm, shoulder, and back strength if you venture out on the water for canoeing and kayaking regularly.
These activities also help you strengthen your core. Paddling a canoe or kayak requires the use of all of your torso muscles due to the rotational movements produced while moving the paddle.
You’ll also notice that while paddling in a canoe or kayak, you’ll be exerting a lot of pressure via your legs, which will strengthen your lower body over time.
Kayaking has numerous other advantages, including stress reduction and overall mental health improvement.
There are plenty of places to kayak in Lee County including:
- The Estero River
- Lovers Key
- The Caloosahatchee River
- Pine Island Sound-Matlacha Pass
- Lakes Regional Park
#3 Trail Hiking
Regular walking will improve your fitness, but climbing steep inclines, using trekking poles to drive you forward, and trying to climb over large rocks will give your entire body a workout.
Physiologically, you’ll be working your entire body, particularly your lower body, specifically the quadriceps, glutes, and hamstrings. If you’re carrying a backpack, your upper body’s strength and endurance will be put to the test as well.
Trail hiking can help you prevent and manage diabetes by reducing your blood sugar levels. It works your muscles, which transports glucose from your bloodstream into your muscles for energy.
It also decreases blood pressure and cholesterol, lowering the risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and heart stroke in high-risk people.
Fact: Hiking downhill is two times more effective at lowering blood sugar and improving glucose tolerance.
Some highly recommended hiking trails in Fort Myers include:
- Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve
- Buckingham Trail Preserve
- Caloosahatchee Creeks Preserve
- Prairie Pines Preserve
#4 Paddle Boarding
Paddleboarding is a terrific way to stay active. It is fantastic since it can be done at a variety of levels of difficulty. In addition, it’s simple to go for a relaxing paddle while enjoying the wonderful outdoors, and, without even realizing it, you’ve finished your workout.
This activity will help you build strength, balance, and resilience. Paddle boarding engages all of your body’s muscles.
From your toes to your brain, all of your muscles will be used to keep you steady on your board. Your core, especially, has to work extra hard to keep you stable.
Paddle boarding is frequently used as physiotherapy and hence is an excellent workout for injury recovery.
#5 Golfing
As you face the golf course’s diverse terrains, remember that an average golfer walks around 4 miles for 18 holes. This is an excellent workout. Walking the course also improves muscle strength, cardiovascular function, and stamina, all of which are beneficial to your health as you age.
If you don’t feel up to it, walk nine holes and ride in a golf cart the rest of the way.
The golf swing develops core muscle strength in addition to improving lower body strength. The core region is one of the essential muscle groups in the golf swing, and improving it is a vital technique to avoid lower back problems.
Seniors rarely encounter the same amount of strategy formulation in retirement as they did during work, and golf is a terrific way to keep your mind in shape.
Golf has also been shown to release endorphins, which are our feel-good hormones that aid in improving happiness and wellbeing. The release of endorphins can help in the reduction of overall stress.
Golf trips regularly can help you form and maintain friendships while also giving you something to look forward to. In addition, mental stimulation with other like-minded people outside of the home is critical to your wellbeing.
The Lee County region provides a range of activities for seniors to enjoy the beautiful outdoors, learn about local resources, and participate in physical events.