Wellness Month at Aston Gardens in Tampa: Supporting Senior Health
According to an AARP Research study, 24% of adults aged 80 and over are very happy, while 27% in their 70s claim the same. Caring for relationships, eating healthy, and exercising can enhance your overall wellness. However, many seniors don't consider their mental, emotional, and physical health.
This Wellness Month, make a change for the better! Adding these senior wellness activities to your routine can improve your overall well-being and quality of life. Discover healthy aging in Tampa, FL with these tips!
Senior Wellness Activities
According to a poll conducted on behalf of the American Osteopathic Association, 71% of Americans report good or excellent health and wellness. However, 42% say they need to improve their physical health.
Try to engage in senior wellness activities. Engage in 150 minutes of aerobic activity and two strength training sessions weekly.Moderate-intensity aerobic activities include:
- Walking
- Hiking
- Dancing
- Cycling
- Water aerobics
Strength training can involve using weights, resistance bands, or your body weight. These activities can improve your flexibility and strength. It's normal for seniors to lose muscle mass as they age.
Add a few balance-improving activities to your routine. Improving your balance can reduce the risk of a trip-and-fall accident.
You can explore your senior living community's fitness program to find exercise classes. Exercising regularly may enhance your health by:
- Helping you fall and stay asleep
- Improving bone health
- Reducing your risk of heart disease and stroke
- Lowering your blood pressure
- Helping you maintain a healthy weight
- Reducing anxiety and depression symptoms
- Reducing your risk of type 2 diabetes
- Improving your coordination and balance
- Boosting your mood
- Reducing your risk of dementia
- Helping you live independently longer
Group Fitness for Seniors
Instead of exercising alone, join a group fitness class through your senior living community.These classes may involve:
- Tai chi
- Yoga
- Pilates
- Walking
- Hiking
- Cyling
- Swimming
- Water aerobics
Ask your friends to hold you accountable to attend classes regularly. Participating together can help make exercise a regular part of your routine. You can challenge and motivate one another.
Meditation and Relaxation
After an intense workout, give your body the chance to rest and recharge. Meditation may enhance your emotional, physical, and mental health by:
- Easing depression and anxiety symptoms
- Reducing pain symptoms
- Strengthening your immune system
- Improving your memory
- Reducing stress
- Lowering blood pressure
- Improving sleep
- Boosting your attention span
- Improving your balance and flexibility
Meditation will help you focus on the present. This can increase your self-awareness.
You can explore other relaxation techniques, including:
- Deep breathing exercise
- Mindfulness and gratitude practices
- Progressive muscle relaxation
- Nature walks
- Art and creative therapy
Healthy Eating
Eating a healthy, balanced diet can benefit your physical and mental health.Choose nutritious whole foods, including:
- Lean proteins and fish
- Legumes
- Vegetables
- Fruits
- Healthy fats like olive oil
- Whole grains
Reduce your intake of processed foods. These foods are high in added sugars, refined carbs, and sodium, which can trigger inflammation. Inflammation is associated with chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease.
For healthy, delicious meals, explore your senior living community's dining program. Ask friends to join you to make eating a social event.
Lifestyle Enrichment Programs
Loneliness and social isolation could compromise your mental, physical, and emotional health. According to the National Institute on Aging, both could cause:
- Depression
- A weakened immune system
- Heart disease
- Alzheimer's disease
- Cognitive decline
- Anxiety
- High blood pressure
- Obesity
- Death
Instead of isolating yourself, explore your senior living community's lifestyle enrichment programs. You can use these programs to connect with other seniors in Tampa.
Forging strong social connections can give your life a new sense of meaning and belonging.These friendships can boost your mood and enhance your cognitive function. Engaging in meaningful activities with other seniors may improve your longevity and overall quality of life.
Explore Hobbies
Check your senior living community's events and activities calendar. They may host fun, engaging activities, including:
- Book or movie club
- Walking or hiking groups
- Exercise classes
- Volunteer opportunities
- Gardening club
- Artistic hobbies (painting, quilting, etc.)
- Music therapy
- Dancing
- Pet therapy
Explore new hobbies and develop new skills. These hobbies can give your life a fresh sense of meaning. Developing new skills can improve your neuroplasticity and cognitive health.
Memory Care Activities
Consider adding memory care activities to your routine, such as:
- Sudoku
- Card matching games
- Jigsaw puzzles
These activities will encourage you to think, which can sharpen your problem-solving skills. If you're struggling with Alzheimer's or dementia, consider moving into a community that offers memory care services. Their program can enhance your quality of life as you age.
Emotional Health Support
As you explore these lifestyle enrichment programs, don't hesitate to seek emotional health support when needed. Remember, isolating yourself could compromise your mental and physical health. Instead, seek help.
Support Groups
Your senior living community may host support groups for grief, addiction, or chronic conditions. Joining a group may help you:
- Feel empowered
- Remember you're not alone
- Discuss concerns without fear of judgment
- Gain access to helpful resources
- Talk openly and honestly
- Navigate complex thoughts and emotions
- Gain a sense of hope and control
- Reduce feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression
Journaling
Journaling can help you navigate complex thoughts and difficult emotions.Try filling a page or writing for 15 minutes a day. This practice may help:
- Improve emotional regulation
- Escape obsessive or disruptive thinking patterns
- Preserve memories
- Improve recall
- Lower your blood pressure
- Improve your mood
- Improve self-awareness
- Manage stress and anxiety
Set Boundaries
It's okay to say no sometimes. Give yourself a break when you need it. Establishing boundaries can help you protect and maintain your friendships.
Celebrate Wellness Month in Tampa
This Wellness Month, focus on your emotional, mental, and physical health. Taking a holistic approach can improve your overall wellness and quality of life. Make a change for the better with these tips!
Remember, moving into a senior living community can turn every day into an adventure. Look no further than Aston Gardens at Tampa Bay.
We offer exclusive lifestyle programs, including Celebrations Activities & Events, Sensations Dining, and Dimensions Health & Fitness. Contact us now to schedule your tour.