New Year’s Resolutions That Seniors Can Stick To!
New Year’s Resolutions. We love the idea of them, but we usually aim too high and give up on our resolutions come February. Fortunately, there is a way to stick to them! In short, keep your goals simple and attainable. Setting out to climb Mt. Everest is way too ambitious, so come up with an easier alternative like going for a daily walk or nature hike around your local community. If you or a loved one is looking for somewhere to start, our assisted living team in South Jersey has put a list together of simple resolutions that seniors in particular can carry into the New Year.
#1 – Eat good and healthy food. Life is too short to eat bad food. And by bad we mean food that tastes bad and is bad for you. If grocery shopping is too overwhelming, look into meal delivery services like HelloFresh – where you can pick healthy, nutrient-packed meals each week and have them delivered right to your door. Pick meals that contain fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, chicken, seafood, beans, nuts, and seeds.
#2 – Learn something new. Playing new cognitive games with family and friends is a great resolution to keep the mind sharp. Interactive games like cards, puzzles, or word searches that challenge the brain can keep memory recollection strong and sound. Seniors can also try harnessing a new skill, like learning a new language or practicing a sport that involves hand-eye coordination to help improve muscle memory as well. Whatever new skill or game you choose to learn, make sure it’s fun! If you truly enjoy it, you’re more likely to stick to it.
#3 – Connect with others more. Keeping up with social commitments and making new friends is particularly beneficial for seniors. Older adults who connect with others more usually retain better cognitive function and have a lower risk of developing depression and other debilitating health conditions. Make it a resolution to check in with friends more, or to get involved with the local community through volunteering to make new friends.
#4 – Try out different ways to stay active. As we mentioned above, it’s important to stick to attainable goals – especially, when it comes to the realm of fitness. The new year is a perfect time to try out new, simple ways to exercise. Stay active with exercises that target different health benefits. For example, low-impact yoga strengthens muscles, improves flexibility, and promotes endurance.
Healthy Senior Lifestyles at Collingswood
At UMC at Collingswood, we’re more than happy to keep our residents accountable for their New Year’s resolutions. If you or a loved one would like to improve the quality of health and wellbeing through fitness this year, our dedicated team in Collingswood is here to help. We have different fitness classes to satisfy every resident’s mobility, such as group yoga, meditation, and dancing – just to name a few. Our trained associates are also available around the clock to assist or modify each exercise to ensure safety is the top priority at all times.
To find out more about how we’re keeping seniors active in Camden County, please call us today or visit our website at: https://umcommunities.org/collingswood/
