MAYCConnect BlaineMN.gov/MAYC
Creating Community
January 2021
Mary Ann Young Center 9150 Central Avenue NE Blaine, MN 55434
Contact MAYC Staff 763-786-9375 MAYC@BlaineMN.gov Monday - Friday, 8AM to 4:30PM
Mission Statement To enrich the lives of older adults by providing educational, recreation, nutritional, social, informational, and volunteer opportunities in a relaxed, friendly environment.
Stay Connected Are you on our email and phone list? Call 763-786-9375 to make sure MAYC staff have your most recent contact information. Follow or like BlaineParksMN on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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BlaineMN.gov/MAYC
Tips from the Mary Ann Young Center to Beat the January Blues It is well known that daylight hours this time of year are shorter than most months of the year for Minnesotans, and people tend to spend much time indoors due to typically colder temperatures. Here is a list of things you might consider doing indoors to lift your spirits, provide some energy, and to have some fun. Engage your brain. Stimulate neurons by doing some things with your opposite hand such as brushing your teeth, writing a grocery list, combing your hair, pouring a beverage, painting your nails, or cutting or spreading with your table knife. The list is endless, be creative, but also be safe. • Read something new, whether a book or an article from a paper or magazine. Really read your mail, even if it is generally considered junk mail. You might see an interesting fact or coupon worth saving. • Say or spell things backwards like the alphabet, numbers, Mississippi. Let us know what words you can spell backwards. • Exercise: many exercises can be done while watching your favorite show. Think of a new exercise or one you have not done in a while. It is important to keep moving. Think about each limb and part of the body and what you can do to increase circulation and range of motion. Don’t forget to breathe deeply. You can search online for in-home, bodyweight exercises that you can follow along with. • Phone a friend or relative or both, that you perhaps haven’t talked to in a while. Make a plan to keep in contact. Take turns calling each other. • Complete a jigsaw puzzle. • Work on a crossword puzzle, word search, or Sudoku. • Write a letter to someone in your contact list and mail it out. • Make a card for someone and send it out. Be creative with glue, ribbon, and your own sayings. • Write a poem. It doesn’t have to rhyme. • Try a new recipe, dig out an old favorite, or a new food or beverage item and challenge your taste buds. • Less sunshine in winter months can lead to vitamin deficiencies. Be sure you have made a plan with your doctor to be as healthy as you can be.
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Mary Ann Young Center 9150 Central Avenue NE Blaine MN 55434
• If you have internet service, there are unlimited resources available on a wide variety of topics; explore your interests. • Sing a favorite song in the shower or while cooking. • Clean out a drawer, closet, or room. Purging items can be very rewarding. • Learn a new card game. • Mix and match clothing, you may be surprised at what looks good together. • Report your new discoveries to friends and family. Give MAYC staff a call too, we would love to hear from you.
Outdoor Winter Activities Not all winter days are cold and snowy. In Minnesota it is not unusual to get some nice sunny, warmer (relatively) days during the long winters. On these days it is nice to get outside and get some sunshine and exercise to help the mind and body feels refreshed. Here in Blaine and Anoka County we have a number of things to do to enjoy the nice days we get. Here are some things to do. Please check with individual facilities to see if an entrance fee or trail pass is required • Blaine plows city sidewalks and trails within a few days after a snowfall, so go out for a walk. • There are also some nice trails at the Blaine Wetland Sanctuary and Springbrook Nature Preserve in Fridley. Winter is a great time for nature viewing. • If x-country skiing or snowshoeing are your thing, you can go to the following place in Anoka County for that also. • • • • • •
Anoka Nature Preserve, Anoka Bunker Hills Park, Coon Rapids Coon Rapids Dam, Coon Rapids Chomonix gold course, Lino Lakes Green Haven golf course, Anoka Rum River Central Regional Park, Ramsey
For all activities remember to dress in layers and bring some water. It is very easy to get dehydrated in the winter.