Exercise may seem like an unrealistic resolution for seniors, but it’s actually one of the best things you can do for your health as you age. It’s more important than ever to stay fit as you get older since many diseases are more likely to affect the elderly than younger adults.
Staying active may also help you feel better and cope with the challenges of being an older person. Keep in mind that you don’t have to join a gym to be active.
You can walk around the block, do some gardening, or even get some daily exercise with a household item like a vacuum!
If you’ve never had a chance to work up a sweat before, now is the perfect time to start. Your body might even thank you for it in the years to come. Seniors with mobility issues can get the assistance of a professional live-in caregiver.
1. Eat healthier food:
Food can be a great source of comfort in our lives, but it’s also a great opportunity to improve our health.
Make healthy choices when you’re at the grocery store and you’ll be surprised at how simple it is to eat healthier. If you need some ideas you can try making some healthy fitness meals for seniors or versions of your favorite dishes.
Another way to eat healthier is to choose foods that are low in sodium. Sodium is something we all get used to eating, so it’s easy to forget that it’s something to be mindful of. There are some easy ways you can cut down on sodium without affecting the taste of your favourite foods.
2. Learn something new:
If there’s anything that can help you stay engaged in your life as you get older, it’s the ability to stay interested in new things. There’s no need to immerse yourself in a new subject right away, but you can make an effort to learn something new each month.
You don’t need to focus on a specific discipline; you can try something as broad as language. For example, if you’re interested in learning more about politics and current events, there are plenty of websites, apps, and textbooks that can help you learn about what’s happening in the world.
You don’t have to be completely up to date on your progress to make learning new things a priority. You can focus on getting started and building momentum, and that’ll help you stay engaged in your new journey for years to come.
3. Spend time with friends and family:
What if you could find just a little bit of time to spend with a friend or loved one each day? That might sound difficult, but it’s actually something that you can do every single day.
Make an effort to talk to a friend, attend a social gathering, or simply spend some time with someone close to you every day. Not only will you feel better about it, but you’ll also be making a difference in someone else’s life. This isn’t a resolution that’s all about you, either.
It’s about being intentional about creating meaningful connections with others. It’s about making each day a little bit better than the one before it.
4. Keep a positive mindset:
Have you ever noticed how things seem to go better when you approach them with a positive mindset? It might sound hokey, but it’s actually a really solid principle. A positive mindset will help you to stay motivated, keep a positive outlook on life, and even help you to accomplish more.
If you’ve ever had a particularly rough day or week, taking a moment to remember that there are so many things in your life that are good might help you to feel better. There are also plenty of things you can do to maintain a positive mindset in the days and weeks ahead.
Make a commitment to stay focused on the things you do like, do something for someone else every day, and make an effort to look at the bright side of any situation.
5. Quit smoking:
If you’ve been smoking for a while, now is definitely the time to put an end to it. Tobacco use is a leading cause of death, disability, and illness in both men and women. It also lingers in your body long after you stop smoking.
That means that even if you quit now, you’ll be at higher risk of getting lung cancer, heart disease, and other harmful conditions in the future. If you’re ready to make a change but aren’t sure how to go about doing it, the new year is the best time to take action.
6. Take up a new hobby:
There’s nothing like a new hobby to keep seniors busy and happy. There are plenty of fun and interesting winter activities for seniors available. Some of the most popular hobbies for seniors include painting, gardening, cooking, and photography.
Painting is a great way to relax and de-stress, gardening can help to improve mental health, cooking can be fun and social, and photography can be a great way to capture memories of your loved ones.
So whatever your interests or needs, there’s likely a hobby out there that will suit you. Happy exploring!
Conclusion:
Now might not be the best time to be setting new resolutions, but it’s never too late to make a change. The best New Year’s resolutions for seniors are the ones you can keep all year long. The sooner you begin making changes, the better, so start thinking about what you want to work on and get started today!
Want to learn more?
ConsidraCare’s caregivers are trained to offer professional support and companionship to seniors during the holidays. reach out to us at wecare@considracare.com or call us at 1-855-410-7971 to arrange care for a loved one.
Maryam is a leading writer at ConsidraCare, specializing in senior care. Her well-researched articles are widely recognized for guiding families through the complexities of caring for loved ones, establishing her as a trusted and authoritative voice in the field.