Another new year is almost upon us, which means it’s the perfect time to get a fresh start and set goals to make 2022 one of your healthiest, happiest years yet! Whether you want to focus on physical fitness, mental wellness, hobbies, or positive relationships, making small changes can have a big impact on your overall wellbeing at any stage of life.
To give you some goal-setting inspiration, take a look at these five great New Year’s resolutions for seniors:
#1: Get moving
Traditionally, many people set New Year’s resolutions centered around getting fit and losing weight. But as we age, exercising is about more than improving our appearance; it’s an important way to maintain or improve mobility, strength, and balance so we can keep our joints limber, prevent dangerous falls, and continue the activities we love. If you’re new to exercise, walking is a great place to start. Just ten minutes a day of regular physical activity can help you improve your health and feel great about yourself!
At Bethany Village, our state-of-the-art Fitness Center makes it easy for residents to stay active even when it’s too cold, snowy, or icy to exercise outside. In addition to exercise equipment designed for seniors, residents enjoy a full schedule of group fitness classes for all levels of ability, including aerobics, strength training, and balance classes. As a continuing-care retirement community, Bethany Village also has indoor walkways that connect our campus and provide an accessible way for residents to fit in their daily steps and visit with neighbors while staying warm.
#2: Reconnect with a favorite hobby (or try something new!)
Having a hobby is beneficial for people of all ages, especially for retirees who have newfound free time. Hobbies help us reduce boredom, relieve stress, and connect with others. This year, why not reignite an old passion or branch out with a new activity you’ve always wanted to try? From artistic pursuits like painting, knitting, photography, or playing an instrument to outdoor activities like golfing, fishing, and gardening, there’s no shortage of fun, engaging hobbies to explore in your retirement years.
#3: Stimulate your mind
Mental fitness is just as important as physical fitness, helping to keep our minds sharp and delay age-related cognitive decline. This year, commit to giving your brain a “workout” by engaging in mentally stimulating activities. Some ideas include learning a new language, enrolling in a continuing education course, playing games and cards, completing puzzles, or taking on a reading challenge for 2022! You may discover that exercising your brain gives you a boost in focus, memory, and confidence.
#4: Stay social
Everyone needs social interaction to thrive and experience a sense of belonging. But all too often, seniors find themselves spending more time alone and isolated from others — and the COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated the “loneliness epidemic” among older adults. The good news is that you can be proactive about staying connected and preventing loneliness. Make it your goal in 2022 to reach out to friends and loved ones on a regular basis, even if it’s just a phone call or video chat. Remember, it’s never too late to rekindle old friendships and make new ones! Participating in a group activity, class, or hobby provides an opportunity to meet new people who share similar interests.
#5: Evaluate your living arrangements
At the start of the new year, take some time to evaluate your living arrangements. Are you still happy, safe, and secure in your current home? Or, could it be time to consider downsizing and moving to a senior living community where you can leave the hassle of household chores and yard work behind?
Even if you’re not ready to move, there are updates you can make to improve the safety and accessibility of your current residence. For example, consider installing safety grab bars in bathrooms, improving the lighting, and adding a security system that makes it easy to call for help when needed.
The start of a new year is also a good time to sit down with loved ones and talk about your wishes and needs for the future, which may include plans to bring in at-home health care or downsize your home and relocate to an easier-to-manage space in a senior living community. While these topics aren’t always easy to discuss, it’s better to have important conversations sooner rather than later so you and your family members have plenty of time to research and make confident, well-informed decisions.
Make 2022 Your Best Year Yet!
What New Year’s resolutions do you hope to achieve this coming year? If one of them is to learn more about senior care options, Bethany Village is here to help you. Please contact us today to request more information and schedule a private tour of our community.
From all of us at Bethany Village, have a healthy, safe, and happy 2022!
