Michelle Leonard-Smith has been with Home by Choice as director of administration since 2009. She can be reached by email at michelle.smith@asipages.com or by phone at 765-362-4020.
After enduring a long, chilly winter, the birds are singing again, flowers are reaching full bloom and leaves are bright and green. Spring is finally here and that means it is the perfect time to get outside, enjoy the fresh air and try out some new activities. No matter your age, there are plenty of ways to stay active, have fun and appreciate all that spring has to offer.
Welcoming in the new season offers the perfect opportunity to get out of the house for a bit on a daily basis. Author Harriet Ann Jacobs once said that when “the beautiful spring came; and when Nature resumed her loveliness, the human soul was apt to revive also.” To help get you started, here are a few springtime activities for senior citizens to enjoy.
First, do some gardening. Gardening is undoubtedly one of the best spring activities for seniors. Even if you have limited mobility, modifications can be made to allow you to participate in many garden activities. Planting flowers increases your physical activity levels by improving flexibility and endurance. Gardening has mental health benefits too; it can relax you, reduce your stress and give you a rewarding feeling of accomplishment.
Next, plan a picnic at the park. Pack a picnic basket with some of your favorite snacks and grab a friend. Find a grassy area to sit outside and simply bask in the sun to get some much-needed vitamin D (don’t forget the sunscreen). Or, you can enjoy lunch on your favorite patio at your senior living community or local restaurant. Wherever you decide, pack traditional picnic foods like sandwiches, coleslaw, potato salad and fruit cobbler to enjoy with a friend.
There’s nothing like fresh fruits, vegetables and local arts and crafts in the spring. That is why a farmers’ market is a perfect place to ring in the new season. Simply strolling through the aisles of fresh produce is a great activity, and buying some is an additional bonus. Here in Crawfordsville, the Farmers’ Market is located on Pike Street downtown and is open every Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon.
It is well known that clutter can increase a person’s stress and spring is the perfect time to declutter your house and your mind. So, take a few days that start going through the storage spaces in your home and start clearing out some of the items you no longer need on a daily basis. You can even get family members to help and share memories as you go through your belongings. Plus, they can help you make decisions about what to keep and what to donate, sell or throw away.
Finally, go for a walk. As an older adult, staying physically active is more important than ever. It can help boost your energy, maintain your independence and even combat symptoms of illnesses. So, make sure you take advantage of the warm weather and go for a walk through the park. Not only can it count as your physical activity for the day, but the sights of springtime nature that you haven’t seen since last year are bound to boost your mood as well.
Happy Spring!
