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Outdoor Activities for Seniors

What activity is completely free and improves a person’s physical and mental health? Being outside in nature. Simply spending time outdoors provides people of all ages the chance to reconnect with nature, breathe in the fresh air, and feel at peace. It also helps reverse the negative feelings associated with loneliness many seniors face. Being outside boosts vitamin D levels, immunity, and energy levels for seniors as well. Older adults who spend a lot of time outdoors actually recover from injuries faster by being exposed to natural light. And being outdoors even improves focus in seniors by giving their brain a break from everyday multitasking, screens, and mundane surroundings of the indoors. Most of the following activities are meant to be enjoyed together with family and friends. The social interaction during all of these activities is important for the independent senior to stay engaged throughout the day and minimize the risks that come with being alone. Connect with Nature through Birdwatching, Nature walks, and Gardening Let’s start with birdwatching, very popular amongst senior populations. The calming experience of watching birds benefits both mind and body because it requires walking, standing, and focusing. Being in the open air is relaxing and can really calm the mind. Going for a nature walk is a great activity for adult children to do with their senior parents. Find an easy trail to hike for a low-impact adventure or a walk along the ocean for some beautiful views. A change of scenery is always welcome for those with limited transportation options. Then there is gardening, which is also very popular in senior communities and for those living independently. A garden is an excellent place for older people to work together to maintain. Working in a garden can be very relaxing and give a sense of pride. If food is being grown, harvesting and using fresh ingredients in their own cooking can improve their health as well. Sports and Active Games Seniors can get active and play games with low-impact, like pool or mini-golf, or even a video game that requires movement, such as WiiⓇ Tennis or WiiⓇ Bowling. Being active in sports and physical games give seniors benefits like improved hand-eye coordination, a sense of control and accomplishment, and of course exercise which is good for both body and mind. Friendly competition offers a challenge and quality time spent with companions. Exercising: For older adults, simply walking for a short time can be considered exercise. This is enough for seniors to sustain mobility and cardiovascular health. As we age, decreased mobility can make it difficult to maintain an active lifestyle, which sometimes leads to loneliness. Exercise is the best activity for seniors to keep their mobility, if only to be able to move about their own homes, or get in and out of a car to visit a doctor, family, and friends. While it is true the natural aging process can make seniors more prone to injuries and joint problems such as arthritis, avoiding physical activity altogether also comes with its own set of physical and mental health risks of obesity, heart disease, and depression. Activities that incorporate balance and coordination, stretching, strength training, and cardio are especially important for older adults. But before beginning any exercise regimen, a physician should be consulted. Again, regular exercising for seniors will help sustain total body mobility and keep muscles strong while giving the mind stimulus at the same time. During exercise, our body releases chemicals that can improve our mood and make us feel more relaxed. A healthy dose of the right exercises helps seniors live independent lifestyles as they age. And for maximum fun, grab a workout buddy! This is an easy way to incorporate socializing with physical activity. How to Stay Motivated to be Active as a Senior A simple way for seniors to stay motivated is to first, choose activities enjoyable to them. Maybe you love to play cards and board games; find a friend and make playing your favorite card game a weekly occurrence. Or maybe you prefer to go on a walk outdoors alone while listening to music. Just work that activity into your weekly routine, but don’t be afraid to invite a friend or incorporate another activity into your walk, such as birdwatching. Another way to stay motivated is to choose activities which are less challenging to fit into your daily schedule. Choose activities you can do safely, that are affordable, and ones that incorporate friends and loved ones.