A stiff knee in the morning can feel like a warning sign. A sore shoulder after gardening can make you wonder if you “overdid it.” And when joints ache, the most natural thought is, “Maybe I should rest more.” Sometimes rest is exactly what helps. But after 60, the bigger truth is this: too little movement can make inflammation, stiffness, balance, strength, and pain feel worse over time. That doesn’t mean pushing through sharp pain. It doesn’t mean pretending arthritis, old