Cold, wintry weather can play a major role in upending many seniors’ fitness, travel, and social plans. Freezing temperatures and slick conditions don’t have to keep you from seeing friends, getting exercise, and enjoying life though!
In addition to reading books, playing board and card games, and doing puzzles, try these 7 fun activities for seniors during the winter.
Volunteer From Home
Looking for ways to give back to your community right from the convenience of your own home? The winter season is especially difficult for the homeless and low-income families that struggle to afford high heating bills. If you’re a pro at sewing, crocheting, or knitting, consider making scarves, hats, and blankets that you can donate to people in need.
You can also put together bags to hand out to homeless people when you do finally get out and about – simply fill a gallon-size resealable bag with helpful items like socks, a water bottle, snacks, q-tips, kleenex, hand sanitizer, toothbrush, and a card with information about local veterans or homeless services. Don’t forget baking too – your local fire department, police station, or even a neighbor in need will always love getting some home-baked goodies!
Video Chat Family and Friends
If frigid, icy conditions are keeping you from your regular coffee dates with friends or family, don’t fret. With the help of your computer or smartphone, you could actually be talking to them face to face before you know it.
Free live video chat services allow you to see and speak with your loved one using technology. If you have a computer, you will need to make sure you have a webcam with mic and speakers to use free services over your WiFi like Skype and Google Hangouts. If you have an iPhone, try using the Facetime app and for Android users, Google Duo is the app for you.
Exercise Indoors
Cold weather may make completing your daily walk difficult, however, that shouldn’t sideline your exercise routine altogether. There are lots of fun ways for you to get an effective workout done indoors with little to no equipment.
Stream a senior yoga or chair exercise instructional video on Youtube.com, improve flexibility and practice strength training with calf stretchers, resistance bands, and lightweight dumbbells, or try balance exercises like standing on one foot for 20 seconds or sitting on a stability ball at your desk. You can also visit open indoor spaces like the mall, gym, or senior center to log some walking miles too!
Try a New Recipe
Winter is the perfect season for cooking up warming soups, stews, casseroles, and chilis. Refresh your go-to weekly menu by perusing new recipes in cookbooks you haven’t opened in a while or simply looking online and giving one a try.
Cooking at home is a great way to ensure you consume healthy, whole ingredients that support a strong immune system which is especially important during cold and flu season. Plus, when you make a little extra you can ask friends or family over to enjoy a meal with you.
Thank a Caregiver
If you have a family member who helps you with things like getting to doctor’s appointments, filling prescriptions, laundry, grocery shopping, and so forth, your extra time inside this winter may be well suited towards coming up with a nice way to thank them.
Perhaps it’s donating in their name to a cause they care about, making them something they can use (like a reusable bag, a scarf, or a keychain), or simply hand-writing them a nice thank you letter.
Go Dancing
Did you know that dancing has been shown to lower the risk of dementia more than even reading or playing sports? The quick movements, rapid decision making, social interaction, and music exposure of dancing all contribute to strong brain health as well as improved strength, coordination, balance, and agility.
Check with your gym to see if they offer dance fitness classes, contact your local senior center to see if they have special programs that involve dancing, or simply hit up a nearby restaurant or club that caters to adults young and old looking to put their dancing shoes to work.
Pick up a new hobby
You’re never too old to try your hand at a new skill or hobby and, in fact, research shows that the simple act of learning can provide protective benefits to older adults’ brains. If getting out and about to a local class or workshop is tricky, try streaming tutorial videos on Youtube – you may be surprised how many helpful ones you find.
Here’s a quick list of hobbies to spark your interest – photography, painting, learning a new instrument or language, a new card game, writing a book, bird watching, crafting, or fixing up older furniture.
