Looking after both your mental health and physical health is important at all ages, including in your senior years. It’s great to find things that contribute positively to both at once, such as exercise and spending time in nature. As we get older and less mobile, it can be easy to tend toward staying at home more, but keeping ourselves cooped up can be detrimental to both physical and mental health.
The benefits of spending time in nature
Getting out of the house and into the fresh air can feel refreshing and even reinvigorating, and the benefits are backed by research. Spending time outdoors and in nature on a regular basis can help to reduce negative feelings such as stress, anxiety, and anger. It can boost your mood and even things like confidence and self-esteem.
Plus, a lot of outdoor activities involve some level of physical activity, and even gentle regular exercise contributes to better overall physical and mental wellbeing. It can also help you become more social if you’re getting out of the house more and joining activities with others outdoors.
Ideas for getting outdoors
So, what are the best kinds of activities for seniors to start spending more time outdoors? If you have a backyard or access to a nearby community garden, then tending to a garden can be an extremely fulfilling and rewarding activity that lets you spend time outside and surrounded by nature.
Simply going for walks is another great option, allowing you to enjoy different areas and surroundings while enjoying the fresh air. Walking can be tailored to lots of different abilities, too, ranging from gentle strolls to more strenuous hikes. Golf is another popular hobby among seniors, combining the exercise of a walk outdoors with a fun sport that can also be fulfilling if you can see yourself improving.
Getting a pet in your senior years can be rewarding in a number of ways, as you have the responsibility of caring for and nurturing that animal, and you get their unconditional love in return. Plus, if you get a pet dog, then you have the incentive to get out of the house every day to take it for walks.
At Brookstone of Clemmons, we hold resident outings and have an outdoor courtyard for residents to spend time in, encouraging them to get outdoors, plus a range of engaging activities to get involved in. Get in touch to find out more about assisted living in Clemmons, NC.