It’s 2021, and the new year brings new opportunities for a fresh start. Coming up with ideas for resolutions and keeping them can be a challenge, but there are many ways you can prioritize your health in the upcoming year. Here are some health tips for seniors to get you started on your resolutions. Set goals for yourself and try to stick to them. Remember to pace yourself—you don’t want to overdo it in the first month of the year.
1. Stay Active
Everyone knows that exercise is good for you, but it is important to make it one of your priorities day-to-day. Incorporate a ten minute walk part of your daily routine and go from there. Looking to start a new hobby? Consider taking up swimming, biking, or low-impact aerobics. A fitness or wellness class can be a great way to meet new friends, as well. There are plenty of activities and exercises for seniors that you can incorporate into your life. Remember, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity a week, but it’s always better to do some physical activity rather than none. Pace yourself! If you’re having trouble doing that much activity each week, start out small. Move for ten minutes a day and work your way up.
2. Keep Up with Hobbies & Interests
Pick up one of your old hobbies, or take some time to explore new interests. Spend time on old hobbies or pick up on something new during retirement. The new year is a great time to get into new activities that are friendly for seniors. Maybe you want something to do while watching TV, like knitting, puzzles, or jewelry making. Or, maybe you want something social that will help you stay connected with others, like a book club or a gardening group. You could even take a free class from Yale and learn about a new subject. With the internet, it’s never been easier to learn something new.
3. Stay Social
This pandemic has made it difficult to stay social, but new technologies make staying in touch possible, and easier than ever before. Take advantage of this! Have a weekly video call with your grandkids, or try to reach out to someone new for a phone chat once every day. You can even use Facebook or other social media to reach out to old friends from your childhood that you’ve lost touch with. High-tech socialization for seniors can be intimidating, but these programs are designed to be easy to use. Ask a grandchild, friend, or young person if you need help. Staying connected keeps your brain active and helps combat loneliness, depression, loss, and other hardships.
4. Be Kind to Yourself
It happens… No one can be perfect with their resolutions every day. As you get older, some goals may be harder to reach or more difficult to achieve. Or maybe you just didn’t get around to something you meant to do, and that’s okay, too. Don’t get discouraged, and be kind to yourself. Your mind and body are changing every day, and it’s important to keep a positive attitude while working through these changes. New years bring new challenges, but keeping a positive attitude will help you stay motivated and achieve your goals year-round.
Copeland Oaks
As you get older, you might find that you need a new support system to help you achieve your goals year-round. If you need a little extra support setting and achieving these new year’s resolutions, Copeland Oaks could be the perfect retirement community for you. For over five decades, we have served residents in our assisted living community located in northeast Ohio. Our community is open to all individuals aged 55 years and older and has a wide variety of amenities and activities to keep you engaged all year long. At Copeland, we have an array of activities for seniors. Meet your health goals with our 24-hour fitness clinic, participate in a wellness class, or find your favorite walking trail, all on our beautiful, 250-acre campus. Our retirement community is inclusive of people from all walks of life, and we’re willing to work with you to meet your needs and desires. Come meet our residents and staff in person. We’d love to have you.