This article is a guest post written by Jason Lewis of Strongwell.org and published with permission. 

It’s important for seniors to stay active, but it can be difficult to get moving some days. For many
seniors, health issues prevent them from doing as much as they want, and for others, loneliness
leads to a depression that can cause issues from substance abuse to social isolation. One of the
best ways around this is to integrate church with fitness and find creative ways to stay active and
vital while maintaining a sense of community and making friends.

If you already attend a church, consider getting more involved in activities there, or offer your
services to fellow churchgoers. Here are some of the best tips on how to do just that.

Offer to help
If there are elderly, infirm, new parents, or individuals who are simply new to your church, offer
your services to them by helping out at home. You might do some light housekeeping, take in
laundry, or walk their dogs when they are too busy– or too ill– to do so on their own. All these
things will help keep you active, and you can do so while helping a member of your church and
forming a bond that will likely last a lifetime.

Form an exercise group
If there are fellow church goers who are looking to stay active like you, talk to them and form a
workout group. You could meet up once or twice a week to walk in the park (or walk to church,
if you live nearby), swim at the local YMCA, or even form an aerobics group in a meeting room
at the church, provided you get permission. This is a wonderful way to stay social, make new
friends, and stay motivated where workouts are concerned.

Do some gardening
If your church has an area that’s good for a garden, ask for permission to create a gardening club
and plant herbs, flowers, and fresh veggies that can be shared with the community or sold at a
local farmer’s market to raise money for the church. Gardening is wonderful exercise and will
give you a chance to spend time with others and get outside for some fresh air.

Spend time with little ones
If your church has a daycare or Bible classes, volunteer your time there and spend time with the
little ones. Running after them will give you plenty of exercise, and spending quality time with
children will boost your mood and help them learn, grow, and find happiness at church.

Get active in the church
Participating in church activities and offering to help decorate the facility for celebrations can
help you stay active and healthy while showing how much the church means to you. You might
even form a committee to stay on top of the planning for events so that the bulk of the work
doesn’t fall on the shoulders of one person.

Remember to have fun! Staying active should be something you enjoy doing, so get creative and
ask your friends to join you.