Summer is here! Those long winter months are now in our rearview mirror and sunshine, outdoors and warmer weather are ahead of us. It is the perfect time to get out and find some fun activities to enjoy this season. The great news is that many can also be holistic aging habits. Silver Chats’ mantra is accepting the changes growing older brings and finding ways to improve and combat those changes. Summer is the perfect time to discover new interests, expand our knowledge, and explore new activities. We’ve made a list of ideas to try and motivate us all to get out this summer. See how easy having summer fun can also be healthy, positive holistic aging practices.
Summertime is the perfect time to make positive, healthy changes. The warmer months lend themselves to being outdoors with longer days and more temperate weather. I wake up and immediately open doors and windows to let the light shine inside and fresh air flow. It is energizing and starts my day out with appreciation and gratitude. How do you start your summertime days? Does your routine differ during the Summer months? What habits do you keep and what do you change? Asking ourselves these questions is a great place to start looking for ways to improve ourselves and take advantage of the Summer season.
We’ve made a list of summer activities that are both fun and healthy. Included in the activity description are the physical, mental, and lifestyle benefits for each:
Gardening \ Garden club
Do you enjoy putting your hands in the dirt and watching plants grow? The simple act of gardening has many benefits for us. It stimulates physical activity that can help maintain mobility and flexibility and relieves stress and anxiety by boosting mood and instilling a sense of peace. Spending time outdoors can lead to higher levels of Vitamin D which is important to our bone health. Gardening involves cognitive functions that keep our mind active, and the sunlight can help strengthen our immune system. This is a great time to plant a vegetable garden or just a tomato plant in a pot. The health benefits expand if you add fresh, home-grown veggies to your meals or add social interaction to the list of benefits, and start a garden club!
Bird Watching
Do you enjoy listening to birds sing in the morning? Do you enjoy nature walks and being outdoors? Watching and enjoying birds is an activity that can be done solo or in a group. The benefits for us include cognitive, physical, and emotional ones. Bird watching can help improve memory, and focus, and enhance mental alertness and reflex skills. When bird watching you observe details, listen to bird songs, and notice patterns in behavior, all of which engage our brains. The physical benefits are walking, and being outdoors, which can increase energy levels. There are emotional benefits as well. Bird watching can help reduce stress and relieve negative emotions. Bird watching can induce a meditative state, which stimulates cognitive function.
If you are new to bird watching, download Merlin. (https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/). It makes identifying birds easy and fun. You simply turn it on and as it records bird songs, it identifies the bird singing. It’s a fun and easy way to introduce yourself to bird watching. Joining a group and participating in bird walks can add socializing to the list of benefits. Grab your binoculars, download the Merlin app, and start bird watching, it’s good for your health.
Travel \ Cruise\ Sightseeing
Do you love to see the world? Are you interested in other cultures, religions, or countries? How about spending time visiting local tourist sites? Traveling, going on a tour, taking a cruise, or just sightseeing locally can be a great summer activity. There is a long list of benefits in traveling including improving communication skills, increasing organizational skills, building self-awareness, and acquiring new knowledge.
You could plan a trip to see all the National Parks in the United States, or visit a city you have always wanted to see. You could map a route visiting historical sites, or places of interest.
You could book a cruise, some lines offer senior rates for guests 55 and older. There are destination cruises and those you can take for sightseeing. Here is a list of the top sailings for seniors and retirees: Windstar Cruises, Viking Cruises, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, Crystal, Oceania Cruises, and Holland America.
If long-distance travel isn’t for you, try being a tourist where you live. Here are some ideas on being a tourist in your hometown: look up your hometown on the web and see what sightseeing is suggested, take a walking tour, buy a transit day or multiday pass, or plan a staycation. See your city in a new light by going to streets you’ve never seen and discovering new and beautiful things about it!
The benefits are the same regardless of your travel interests or your destination. Planning itineraries, navigating new cities, and exploring places can help you keep active and engaged. Physical activity can lower the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer, as well as, improve cognitive function. Traveling can reduce stress and alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression. The other benefits include broadening your horizons, learning diversity, developing tolerance, and improving endurance and flexibility. Get outside, enjoy the weather, and the longer days, and see new places. It can be fun and healthy!
Volunteer
Volunteering is a great way to spend summertime. If you desire to contribute to your community or wish to give back, contributing your time and energy to others can be rewarding. There are many opportunities from months-long commitments to an hour or two a week. Volunteering as an activity is good for aging physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. A study by the National Library of Medicine showed retirees who volunteer 100 hours a year had substantially lower risks of mortality, higher physical activity, and higher levels of social interaction. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7375895/
There are volunteering opportunities available to match any needs. If you don’t know where to start, here are a few ideas:
–Senior Corps is a government agency that helps older adults put their experience to good use helping others. NationalService.gov/senior-corps
-The National Park Service is dedicated to preserving America’s landscapes and history. Volunteer opportunities are posted on Volunteer.gov, but it’s better to contact the park you’re interested in and ask for the volunteer coordinator, who may know of park needs not posted
Online
–Meals on Wheels offers service providing meals to homebound seniors. Check out AmericaLetsDoLunch.org to find a program near you.
–The Humane Society and its family of organizations offer volunteer opportunities by state. If you love animals, this is a perfect match. https://www.humanesociety.org/volunteer
–Peace Corp is a federal agency promoting world peace by helping developing companies. There are opportunities worldwide and training is provided. For more information visit https://tprf.org/volunteer/
Reading\Book Club
If you love reading, a summer reading challenge can be fun and good for your brain! There are many ways to make book reading a summertime activity. Create a summertime book challenge either on your own or join a reading challenge. Visit your local library or community center and join or start a Summer program. You can host a book club or start one in your community. Summer offers longer days and cooler nights and is a perfect time to read a book.
Outdoors / Nature Walks
If you are an outdoor enthusiast Summer is your time! Hiking, walking, fishing, golfing, swimming, and boating are only a few activities this season offers. Whatever you choose the health benefits are all the same. This activity lowers stress, boosts immunity, increases physical exercise, and improves memory, and sleep. Plan a day trip, a road trip, or a weekly get-together with friends and get outside this summer.
Silver Chats thinks Summer offers the perfect time to build holistic aging practices into daily living. Developing positive, healthy habits that promote health and mental wellness can be easier when the weather energizes us. Pick an activity, make it a habit, and discover the endless possibilities of aging!