Wellness Month for Seniors: Healthy Living in Temple, TX

According to Civic Science, more Americans are practicing self-care today than they did five years ago. Despite this good news, these people wish they could practice it more than they currently do.

Fortunately, August is coming up, and along with it is National Wellness Month. It's a time to focus on improving your overall wellness, which is extremely important for older adults.

If you've been meaning to get into healthy routines for seniors, then there's no better time to start than now. Here's how to celebrate National Wellness Month for seniors in Temple, TX.

Join a Gentle Fitness Program

It's important to stay active in your older years, especially as the ailments start adding up. But you don't have to do anything too rigorous; gentle fitness is perfect for seniors who aren't very able-bodied.

You can try:

• Chair yoga
• Tai chi
• Water aerobics

All of these can help improve flexibility, balance, and your cardiovascular health. And the best thing is that there's minimal joint strain.

You can join a local group class on senior wellness in Temple, TX, or you can access free sessions on YouTube or a fitness app.

Start a Walking Challenge

According to a study done by Ungvari et al. in PubMed Central, there are multifaceted benefits of walking for healthy aging. It's a low-impact exercise that's excellent for heart health and mood.

If you find it hard to walk on your own, then try a 30-day step challenge with your family and friends. Use a pedometer or fitness watch to track your steps and celebrate milestones!

Stay Hydrated and Eat Mindfully

It can be easy to forget to stay hydrated, but water's extremely essential in keeping your body running. Be on the lookout for dehydration signs and track your daily water intake. That way, you're aware of how much water you're drinking.

You should also prepare healthy, whole-food meals. To make them more appealing, make your dishes colorful by using fresh summer produce like tomatoes, berries, and leafy greens.

Good nutrition and hydration are key to having energy. Plus, you'll get better immunity and cognitive function.

Engage in Mindfulness or Meditation

It's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. So take a moment to ground yourself with mindfulness or meditation. These are great for emotional health support, since they:

• Reduce stress
• Reduce anxiety
• Improve focus
• Improve sleep

Simply listening to calming music can be enough for grounding. Or you can do guided meditation and breathing exercises. There are many apps to download, too, such as:

• Calm
• Insight Timer
• Headspace

Another helpful thing is to practice daily gratitude. This can improve your mental health and emotional resilience. We'd suggest keeping a journal so you can read your entries later, especially in harder times.

Pursue a New Hobby or Skill

Part of independent living wellness is staying sharp with hobbies and new skills. Otherwise, you'll get bored, and this can lead to declining mental health.

Lifelong learning supports brain health and leads to personal growth. It can give you a sense of purpose, so don't stop learning!

Ideas here are:

• Painting
• Puzzle solving
• Birdwatching
• Learning to play an instrument

The possibilities are endless, and retirement is the perfect time to pick up something you've always been interested in. And with how accessible the internet is nowadays, you can easily find free online courses so you don't have to spend money, and you can learn from the comfort of your home.

Reconnect With Old Friends

One of the best aging well tips we can give you is to reconnect with old friends. Unfortunately, as we get older, our social circles start shrinking; holding on to outstanding friends is important!

So pick up the phone and ring up an old pal. Or if you're more traditional, write a letter instead.

Either way, rebuilding bonds can:

• Bring joy
• Reduce loneliness
• Offer emotional support

If you need an excuse to check in and schedule visits with people, then you can always say it's National Wellness Month!

Volunteer for a Cause

Helping others can give you a sense of purpose and belonging. You'll connect with the community, and you'll give aid to those in need.

If you need some ideas, you can:

• Support local food banks
• Help out at community gardens
• Read to children

Try looking for opportunities that accommodate physical or mobility limits so you don't push yourself too hard.

Spend Time in Nature

If you've found yourself doing maladaptive coping, then some time in nature can do you good. Nature can reduce stress and improve your mood, and it can inspire spiritual reflection too.

Get out in your garden to plant some seeds or watch the birds. Or go to the park to relax on a bench and soak in the environment.

To make it easier on yourself, plan your regular outdoor time during cooler parts of the day.

Schedule Health Screenings and Appointments

When's the last time you saw your doctor? You might feel like you're in excellent health, but there are silent illnesses that can creep up on you.

Early detection and routine care are absolutely crucial to long-term health. So make sure you schedule:

• Annual physicals
• Dental checkups
• Vision tests
• Vaccinations

Learn About Healthy Aging

Education can empower you to make informed health decisions. You can start by reading books about aging well.

The next step is to attend workshops. Check with local libraries and community centers, as they often offer free resources on aging and wellness.

Celebrate National Wellness Month This August

National Wellness Month is the perfect time for you to reflect on your approach to well-being. If needed, you can change your strategy on how you take care of yourself.

Even if you only explore small changes, they can really add up. You can end up building routines that support longevity, joy, and connection. And you may even pass this information to other seniors so they're as happy and healthy as you are!

At Morada Temple, we have senior-specific fitness equipment with expert-led classes. Get in touch with us today for more information on senior living in Temple, TX.