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What are Some Healthy Senior Activities?

Dulce Corazon
Dulce Corazon

There are several healthy activities from which older individuals can choose. Some of these healthy senior activities can be done alone, such as doing puzzles, scrapbooking, photography, painting or drawing, and playing music. For those who love the company of other senior individuals like them, there are also plenty of senior activities they can choose from. These include group exercises, singing, dancing, playing games, and having field trips, among many others.

For older individuals who prefer to stay at home, especially during the cold weather, puzzles, scrapbooking, drawing, and painting are some great choices. These activities often promote mental sharpness. If one enjoyed drawing or painting during his younger years, he can take up the hobby again. Playing music also stimulates the mind and the senses, and often takes boredom away. Photography is another activity he can pursue, and this usually allows senior individuals to see their surroundings in a new perspective.

Playing cards can keep the mind active.
Playing cards can keep the mind active.

Exercise can generally keep the body healthy and help delay or prevent heart problems and diabetes. For this reason, senior activities or exercises including jogging, swimming, and walking are often encouraged for older individuals who are capable of such activities. They may also do some stretching and balance exercises in order to help build muscle strength, retain flexibility and reduce the chances of falling. Most of these senior activities or exercises can be done in groups and are usually done in an atmosphere of fun.

Water aerobics is an exercise performed in a pool.
Water aerobics is an exercise performed in a pool.

Singing and dancing are some of the most entertaining and fun senior activities they can join. Aside from being entertained, dancing is also considered as a good fitness exercise. Singing too, has several benefits. It can help improve the quality of breathing as well as relieve tension and stress.

In order to interact with each other, senior individuals can also play games such as card games, board games, and bingo. This can often be made more exciting and challenging by giving small tokens or prizes to the winners. Senior activities like these are frequently stimulating to the mind, making them more alert and allow them to think faster.

Games and other mental activities can help keep the mind strong.
Games and other mental activities can help keep the mind strong.

Other senior activities that can help sharpen minds and keep spirits up are going on a field trips and sightseeing. These simple trips like seeing a movie, visiting a museum, or having a beach picnic are often made more memorable when shared with peers and friends. Other examples of unique and fun, yet not too strenuous senior activities include having a treasure hunt at the park, lunch at the mall, and visiting local historic sites.

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    • Playing cards can keep the mind active.
      By: Timo Blaschke
      Playing cards can keep the mind active.
    • Water aerobics is an exercise performed in a pool.
      By: american911
      Water aerobics is an exercise performed in a pool.
    • Games and other mental activities can help keep the mind strong.
      By: Robert Kneschke
      Games and other mental activities can help keep the mind strong.
    • Spending time with a dog may help to reduce stress in the elderly.
      By: Budimir Jevtic
      Spending time with a dog may help to reduce stress in the elderly.
    • Many seniors enjoy artistic activities, such as painting.
      By: Photoman
      Many seniors enjoy artistic activities, such as painting.
    • Activities like beachcombing, which involves lots of walking, may help keep seniors healthy.
      By: Jean-Michel LECLERCQ
      Activities like beachcombing, which involves lots of walking, may help keep seniors healthy.
    • Seniors may enjoy going out on trips to see a local baseball game.
      By: steven hendricks
      Seniors may enjoy going out on trips to see a local baseball game.
    • Seniors may enjoy crafts such as needlepoint.
      By: quka
      Seniors may enjoy crafts such as needlepoint.
    • Seniors may enjoy getting out of the house to go on a shopping trip.
      By: Lisa F. Young
      Seniors may enjoy getting out of the house to go on a shopping trip.
    • Some seniors stretch or practice yoga to maintain flexibility, and for other health benefits.
      By: WavebreakMediaMicro
      Some seniors stretch or practice yoga to maintain flexibility, and for other health benefits.
    • Completing crossword puzzles has been shown to improve mental well-being in elderly people.
      By: absolut
      Completing crossword puzzles has been shown to improve mental well-being in elderly people.
    • Close, positive relationships with family and friends are essential for good emotional health at any age.
      By: oocoskun
      Close, positive relationships with family and friends are essential for good emotional health at any age.
    • Walking is an encouraged activity for seniors.
      By: Robert Hoetink
      Walking is an encouraged activity for seniors.
    • Dancing helps keep elderly people more active and social.
      By: WavebreakMediaMicro
      Dancing helps keep elderly people more active and social.