With the sun coming out more and the trees getting greenery on their branches, now is the perfect time to get out of the house and engage in some springtime activities.
Staying in the house all day every day can have a negative impact on your health. Physically, you don’t get many opportunities to work your muscles and build up strength. Mentally, you may start to feel isolated and there is a greater risk of depression. In the interests of boosting physical and mental health, we have listed five springtime activities for the elderly.
5. Walking
This is a straightforward activity with several key health benefits. It is also something you can start doing with little to no effort. Simply get up and go. Take things slow and explore your local area. Head down to the park and walk along every path, taking time for breaks on the benches. Walking is especially rewarding on warmer days, and it’s something you can take at your own speed.
If you start to enjoy regular walks – or if you just want some company – you might want to consider joining a walking club. This makes a healthy activity into a social one too, helping ward off feelings of loneliness. You may also feel more confident having other people around.
4. Birdwatching
If long walks sound slightly too strenuous, perhaps you would be interested in something more sedate. Birdwatching can be an ideal opportunity for getting out of the house and reconnecting with nature. Whilst you might need to do a small amount of walking to reach a good site, it is worth it to enjoy your time in the outdoors.
Birds are also far more interesting than many people might think. They display complex behaviours, and many are also highly sociable animals. Did you know that scientists believe birds evolved from dinosaurs? One has only to watch a hunting bird of prey to see the parallels.
3. Gardening
Sometimes, just getting into the garden is enough to boost your wellbeing. The jobs involved with maintaining your garden can help to build strength and mobility. You will also get a mood boost from seeing your garden grow.
Like all the best springtime activities for the elderly, gardening is also something you can do at your own pace. If you don’t feel ready to work an allotment, you can start by planting some seeds in a plant pot. As you increase in confidence, you can start transferring flowers to your garden. Before you know it, you could have a greenhouse full of fresh vegetables.
2. Volunteering
One of the best ways to boost our wellbeing is to give something back to our communities. Volunteering, whether it be at a charity shop or the local gallery, can keep you motivated and active. It is also a great opportunity to meet new people.
Whilst you should be mindful of your own limitations when taking up volunteering, it can be a great way to reinvigorate your life in later years. You may also find yourself learning new things or discovering a new passion.
1. Travel
Springtime activities for the elderly don’t have to be limited to your immediate surroundings. Retirement and older age don’t mean it’s time to stop living. If anything, now is the perfect time to visit all the places you couldn’t when you were working. Spring can be the ideal time, too. The weather isn’t too hot yet, and you won’t have to deal with all the summertime crowds, but the weather will still be pleasant.
There are so many places to go. You could explore corners of Ireland you haven’t visited before, or even jump on a plane and visit another country. As long as you keep your health in mind, there are so many places you can go and things you can do.
All Year Support from LifeConnect24
Engaging in springtime activities can be great for your mental and physical health, but it’s important to have additional peace of mind around the home. A Lifeline alarm ensures you can call for help whenever you need it.
When you activate your personal alarm, it will send an alert to our professional Response Team. They will assess the situation and inform your emergency contacts that you need help. If necessary, they will also inform the emergency services.
To find out more about our personal alarm service, call our team on 1 800 937543.
You can order a Lifeline alarm online today.
Editor’s Note: This article was updated on 28th March 2024 to reflect current information.
