Fun Ways for Seniors to Stay Active This Winter

Staying active during the winter months is essential for keeping a healthy lifestyle as you age. Winter makes it easy to pull the covers over your head and pretend you can sleep all day. But, if you take advantage of these fun activities, staying active in the winter will be the last thing on your mind.

A Winter of Learning

The winter months are a great time to jump back into learning. There are many ways to get the mental workout you deserve and have fun doing it. Here are some of the most popular ways to learn something new this winter:

• Learn a new language or brush up on foreign language skills. There are many apps and online classes that provide these services for free. For the more advanced, you may be able to find these at a nominal rate.
• Learn about a new country or culture. Immerse yourself in a new world. There are free classes offered through museums and universities that you can take advantage of this winter. 
• Take an online course from an Ivy League university like Harvard, Yale, Stanford, and MIT—all free through OpenCourseWare.
• Take an online course in a subject you have always been interested in learning more about, like philosophy, photography, music, or knitting.
• Consider webinars. Webinars are free online classes that can give you access to experts in any field. Sign up for webinars on topics such as gardening, photography, art history, genealogy, and more from museums, libraries, universities, and other institutions. They're easy to find using Google search tools – just type in "free webinar" plus the topic you're interested in studying.

Winter Crafting

Knit, crochet, or quilt

Knitting and crocheting have always been popular hobbies among seniors. They are relaxing hobbies that help the fingers and hands stay in good shape. They are also great ways to keep warm while working with yarn. There are plenty of easy patterns available that anyone can take on. Knit or crochet fingerless gloves, scarves, or hats while watching your favorite TV show or listening to music. Not too crafty? Consider purchasing knitting kits that come with everything you need in one bag. You can also find plenty of inspiration online.

Quilting is another great hobby to stay active. It doesn't require nearly as much skill as knitting but still does wonders for the body. Quilting has recently become popular among seniors as well. Quilts make great holiday gifts or keepsake items for family members. Seniors can choose from many different patterns, colors, and textures to create unique quilts for friends and family members. Quilting is also a good way for seniors to work on fine motor skills since it requires cutting fabric and sewing pieces together with smaller needles.

Scrapbooking

Seniors who love crafting can try their hand at scrapbooking and making a memory book. Scrapbooking can be another fun and imaginative way to enjoy the winter. Not only is it creative, but it could also become a family heirloom that generations to come can cherish. 

There is no need for special equipment - scrapbooking is something you can do with paper and glue in the comfort of your own home. So getting started can be simple.

Get a headstart on holidays; and other notable occasion gifts — These activities can potentially keep you busy for months on end. Use this time to start working on birthday presents for loved ones. It'll save you time in the long run.

A Winter Bookclub

One of my favorite things to do in the winter is curl up with a good book. If you are a lover of the written word, a book club may be the best thing for you. If you can't readily find a club, go ahead and start one. Get together with like-minded book lovers and spend your time reading and discussing the latest top sellers.

There are hundreds of book clubs out-there for all different genres and interests. If you're looking for something specific, there's probably a book club out there for you! If you don't find one that suits your fancy, simply get together with some friends and start one of your own. The best part about book clubs is that they encourage you to be social while helping to keep your mind sharp and active.

The best part is that you can read and discuss the book of your choice, making it a very personal experience. There are two types of book clubs; those that choose their books in advance and those that decide on a title monthly or bi-weekly. The latter is usually more casual, but both offer the opportunity to delve into books you might not otherwise have time for.

Get Techie This Winter

Technology is an integral part of our lives, and there are many reasons seniors need to be as familiar with technology as possible. It not only makes them feel connected to the rest of the world, but it also increases their chances of staying healthy. 

For example, seniors can use technology to keep in touch with loved ones who live far away. Staying in touch with friends and family can help seniors reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation.

Seniors are becoming more tech-savvy every day. More and more seniors are choosing to be more engaged. Social networks like Facebook and Twitter are seeing more and more seniors join. These networks can be a good way for seniors to keep up with the news and connect with others who share similar interests. good

Start a Winter Exercise Regimen 

A healthy body and mind will make the winter months much easier to get through. Exercise can boost your mood, reduce stress, relieve pain and help you sleep better at night. 

Start an exercise regimen. Regular exercise is one of the best ways to ward off health problems like heart disease and arthritis. You don't have to join a gym or buy expensive workout equipment — there are a few exercise programs that you can do almost anywhere. 

Yoga and tai chi, for example, are becoming increasingly popular with people of all ages. These activities are low impact and focus on flexibility, strength, balance, and relaxation. They are easy on the joints, yet they can still provide a healthy challenge that keeps you moving. They can also help reduce stress and improve focus, which will help keep your mind sharp. They're also incredibly relaxing and offer an opportunity to meet new people with similar interests. If you don't have access to a group class, try practicing at home with a virtual group or video.

The winter months can seem long and dull when you’re limited to the same routine day after day. By doing things such as starting a book club, learning something new, creating a craft, or embracing technology, you can breathe new life into the winter! Introduce some of these fun activities into your routine this winter, and I promise you will find yourself more entertained than ever before!

To find out how United Methodist Homes provides a wealth of offerings and opportunities to support the health and wellbeing of our residents, contact us today or schedule a complimentary visit now. For additional tips on senior health and lifestyle issues, check out our blog.