Life satisfaction and quality of life in elderly impact of regular exercise and yoga

Pages:46-48
Diljot Soin (Department of Psychology, Panjab University, Chandigarh)

Elderly can sometimes face aging with little trepidation but some take it in a healthy challenging manner and engage themselves in regular exercise thereby improving their physical and mental well-being . The present research intends to study the effects ofregular exercise and yoga on the life satisfaction and quality oflife among elderly. In this regard, the study compared the individuals who do regular exercise consisting of walking, stretching exercises/yoga and the individuals who do not do regular exercise or yoga on their life satisfaction and quality of life. Chandigarh city was selected as a locale of the study from wherein a sample of 400 males (i.e., 200 with regular exercise and 200 without regular exercise) between the age ranges of 60-65 years was randomly selected from the residential sectors of similar socioeconomic profile . The Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) by Diener, Emmons, Larsen and Griffin (1985) and The World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL)- BREF by World Health Organization (2004) were administered to assess the life satisfaction and quality oflife among elderly. The results indicated positive psychosocial and cognitive outcomes in terms of significantly positive life satisfaction and quality oflife among elderly who remained physically active with regular exercise and yoga as compared to those without regular exercise and yoga . The research points that seniors who incorporate regular exercise, walking, and yoga into their lifestyles not only improved physical function but experienced psychological benefits as well. The findings may inspire older people who are reluctant and forgo its potential health benefits to get up, get out and get moving on a regular basis.