5 Best Social Distancing Activities for Seniors
The COVID-19 pandemic has robbed many of us of the trips, experiences and activities we planned for. While this time has been a challenge, it’s also provided an opportunity to engage in things we might not have considered before. Just because we can’t gather with friends and family as we normally would doesn’t mean there aren’t ways to occupy our minds and bodies in fulfilling ways. These five social distancing activities for seniors are sure to keep your spirits up while staying safe and avoiding the detrimental effects that can come from social isolation.
Exercise Differently
If we’ve learned anything from this pandemic, it’s the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle – which any senior can do despite social distancing. There are plenty of social distancing activities for seniors that can keep you fit in your home or outdoors. Yoga is an ideal example. You can find a wide variety of yoga classes and instructional videos online and follow along without leaving home. If you’ve never done yoga before, this is the perfect time to start learning. Other than yoga, there are many online exercise classes specifically focused on senior health and safety, including chair exercises, Pilates, strength training, cardio and more. One valuable resource for instructional exercise videos is YMCA 360, featuring dozens of senior-specific workouts.
If you prefer to exercise with other active seniors while social distancing, outdoor group exercise classes are hugely popular these days. Being outdoors, everyone can safely stay at least six feet apart while partaking in the same workout. It’s a great way to stay fit, get some fresh air, and safely socialize with others.
Get Creative
If you have a creative hobby you can do at home, you’re probably already knee-deep in it. If you don’t, there’s never been a better time to find one. Engaging your brain by working with your hands or creating art has a number of proven mental health benefits. Knitting, woodworking, painting, drawing, sculpting, and crafting are all social distancing activities for seniors that can be done in safe environments, including your own home. This incredibly handy list of arts and crafts for seniors is a good place to start your hobbyist journey.
Learn Online
Keeping an active mind is crucial while being in relative social isolation. Luckily, thanks to the internet, lifelong learning is more accessible than ever before. A virtual universe of online learning resources is just a click away. This is a time when you can finally delve into a topic that’s always interested you, whether that’s history, philosophy, mathematics and anything in between. Similarly, you finally have time to dedicate yourself to learning a foreign language with programs such as Rosetta Stone, Babbel and Duolingo. Or, if you want to learn a brand-new skill, websites like Masterclass have hundreds of lessons taught by revered experts in their fields. Whatever you choose, you can come out of quarantine a more enlightened person.
Journal or Blog
Whoever you are, wherever you’ve been, your story is unique. One of the less-thought-of but most profound social distancing activities for seniors is simply taking the time to write – or type – your story. First, journaling is proven to help strengthen memory retention and decrease the risks of dementia. Second, writing about your life provides feelings of accomplishment and fulfillment. Third, leaving your story for future generations of your family to read is absolutely priceless. All you really need is a pen and paper, but why not make it more interesting? Starting a blog later in life isn’t as complex as it might seem. Essentially, it’s journaling to a larger audience than just yourself. Blogging allows you to share your story to potentially thousands of people online and create social connections beyond your immediate circle. Plus, it’s a great way for digital novices to learn more about the internet and technology in general.
Armchair Travel
Although traveling isn’t an easy option right now, you can still explore the world in a safer, smaller way. Virtual programs allow you to interactively move through landscapes and get full 360-degree views of the best places to travel in the world. For example, you can visit all the UNESCO World Heritage Sites on Google Earth. Or you can take interactive tours of famous destinations such as the Sistine Chapel, The Louvre, the Smithsonian Natural History Museum, and more. For a more local adventure, many of Houston’s best museums and historic sites offer virtual tours and interactive programs.
Staying Active at The Buckingham
Throughout this pandemic, residents at The Buckingham have found it easy to remain active, stimulated, and connected – all while staying safe. Our number one priority is ensuring every member of the Buckingham family is as healthy as possible. And while we’ve taken a proactive approach to uphold this promise, we’ve also made sure residents are able to enjoy the retirement they deserve. To see more of our social distancing activities for seniors, or to learn more about our retirement community, please contact us through our website or call us any time at 713-979-3090.