Fun Is the Number One Secret to Healthy Aging
/Here are 9 easy ways to incorporate some fun into your day-to-day routine.
Alaska’s senior population is growing faster than the rest of the United States, with the number of people living with Alzheimer’s Disease also on the rise. Therapeutic activities, personal care, supervision, nursing services, transportation, meals, and lots of other services are really important. Do you want to guess the number one secret to healthy aging? It’s actually fun!
Here at Turnagain Social Club, we believe that every stage of life should be an adventure, and the fun starts with social connections. Studies have shown that people who have a healthy social life, including close relationships, actually live longer and tend to have better health. This includes mental health to cardiovascular health, immunological functioning, cognitive performance, and more.
Here are nine easy ways to incorporate some fun into your day-to-day routine.
Want some ideas for activities? Give our friendly team a call today.
1. Sign up for Turnagain Social Club’s Virtual Activities
Due to the situation with COVID-19, Turnagain Social Club has developed a virtual program that we are delivering live via Zoom. It’s an online video chatting platform that’s really simple and easy for people of all ages to use at home. We’re offering things like bingo, live music performances, chair yoga, trivia, and more. You can view our program on our website or contact us with any questions.
2. Reminisce About the Good Old Days
There’s nothing like calling an old pal and laughing about the shenanigans you got up to when you were young. Whether that was music festivals in the ‘60s, discos in the ‘70s, or questionable fashion choices in the ‘80s, there is a lot of material you can share. It’s the perfect time to pick up the phone.
3. Challenge Your Friends to a Game of Bingo
Why do we love bingo so much? Sure, it’s a great test of hand-eye coordination and it keeps your reflexes sharp. But let’s be honest, it’s just as much about socializing as it is about winning. Challenge someone in your household to a game and see what happens. It’s a great way to fill an afternoon.
4. Bake Your Favorite Treat for Your Friends
How much time have you spent in the kitchen over the years? Probably too many hours to count, but you’ve probably perfected a couple of recipes. Do you bake an excellent cherry pie? Make a mean mud cake? Delicious cookies? There’s no better way to win some brownie points at home.
5. Plan to See a Music Performance With Friends
There are a few different ways you can do this. Live music has been a little challenging since COVID-19 broke out, but there are some amazing performances online. Producers and performers all over the world are streaming things live on the internet – type your favorite show in Google, see what you find, and send a link to your friends. You can compare notes when it’s safe to catch up in person.
6. Play Boggle With Your Family
Boggle is a great game. It’s lots of fun, and it keeps your creative and critical thinking skills sharp as you find words in sequences of letters as they pop up. It’s great to play with everyone at home.
7. Try a Chair Yoga Class
Movement is really important for people of any age, and there are lots of great classes online. Chair yoga is a great way to maintain your mobility, because you can try all the different movements and stretches while either sitting on a chair or using it for support. It’s safe and fun to try at home.
8. Call Your Friends for a Chat
Remember telephones? They seem to have gone out of fashion in recent years, now that everyone carries cell phones with them every where they go. Take the initiative to call some of your friends for a chat? It’s a fun and easy way to keep up-to-date with people’s lives from a safe distance.
9. See What You Can Find On the Internet
There are lots of cool things you can learn online. You might like to try a new knitting pattern, look up some trivia about your favorite musician, see what’s happening on Facebook, read the news, research an interest, or send an email. Type a question into Google, and see where you end up.
Healthy aging doesn’t just mean eating well, keeping mobile, and taking your medications. It’s about catching up with old friends, making new ones, and being part of an active community. Turnagain Social Club is open for business, but the decision to come back is a personal choice.
Just know that we are here to support you in your decision, and will offer many different programs to met your needs, aid healthy aging, and make sure you have fun along the way.
Have questions? Contact us online or call us on (907) 677-6770.