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COVID-Safe Wintertime Activities for Seniors As winter settles in, many seniors are challenged to physical and mental well-being, while dealing with social distancing, isolation, cabin fever and boredom. Staying safe from Covid-19 has left many seniors feeling the monotony of daily life during a pandemic. And winter’s sometimes gloomy outlook can bring fresh concern from older adults and their loved ones. But even though things look quite a bit different than they used to, there’s still plenty of opportunity for seniors to engage their spirits and enjoy the season. Check out the following COVID-safe winter activities to help foster enthusiasm and engagement for yourself or the senior in your life.
Look to the Stars
Long winter nights, particularly those with clear skies, can be some of the best times to partake in the awe and wonder of stargazing. In fact, winter skies can bring the brightest stars. Constellations like Orion, Taurus and
Canis Major are in full view. Cold air holds less hazy moisture than warm air so it’s a prime time to look to the the night sky. Study up on your astronomy.
Soup
Winter is a great time to experiment with new recipes for soups and stews. Try traditional options like chicken noodle soup and beef stew, to more adventurous selections like white bean, butternut squash, split pea or carrot ginger, there’s an array of choices to try out.
Put Pen to Paper
Studies have shown the act of letter writing has tremendous benefits for both the writer and the recipient, according to AARP. This winter, consider finding a pen pal. It’s been said that the very act of writing can help improve memory function, decrease the symptoms of certain medical conditions and evoke greater feelings of happiness. This is
Coming Soon! BRAND NEW
Memory Support Neighborhood
a fun way to stay connected, start a new relationship and partake in the joy of writing and receiving.
Out in the Garden
Don’t let the chilly weather put a damper on your gardening. Certain vegetables actually taste better after being exposed to frost. These include varieties like kale, brussel sprouts and cabbage. Winter is also a great time to perform any necessary pruning of fruit trees, vines, deciduous shrubs and ornamental trees. And it’s the perfect opportunity to begin planning the new year’s blooms and harvests. Consider plotting out your garden spaces, ordering seeds and summer bulbs, and building your garden design.
Stretch it Out
The practice of yoga has long been known to help people manage stress and anxiety, improve flexibility and coordination, support
mental clarity, increase strength and promote overall physical health. Often, when we think of yoga activities, we envision young, able bodies stretching and contorting in difficult positions. The truth, however, is that yoga can be practiced by people of all ages and abilities, and has become quite popular among the senior population in the form of chair yoga. An exercise that can be done sitting on a chair or standing on the ground while using the chair for support, this modified, gentler variety of yoga can be a great outlet for both physical activity and meditative needs over the cold winter months. If you’re a beginner, there are some basic chair poses, or “asanas,” you can look into trying. Consider signing up for a virtual class or accessing some literature to help you get started. Staying engaged this winter is all about finding joy in new and old activities, all while practicing them safely.
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