Many activities keep seniors' minds and bodies active.
One thing many senior citizens work hard to do is keeping their body and mind active. Numerous activities and social events help them do just that, so today's golden-agers have a lot to look forward to.
Outdoor Activities
Go out and explore. Ever wanted to go on a multiple-day bike tour? Find like-minded friends by posting a note at a senior community center. You can combine sports with traveling by biking in a state you have never been to or pedaling through a national park.
If you are more into laid-back nature activities, relax with fishing and enjoy peace and quietness in the outdoors. If that becomes too quiet, participate in a fishing competition. Check with your local Fish and Game department about upcoming fishing events.
Indoor Games/Entertainment
If your legs do not take you very far anymore or you are bound to a wheelchair, indoor activities are right for you. Card and board games require socializing with others and benefit your mental and memory skills. If you live in assisted living or have a local community center and there is no regular BINGO night, start one! You will find lots of like-minded men and women eager to play a game that fits any physical and mental abilities.
Foster Creativity
Creativity Toolbox (www.creativitytoolbox.org) is an interactive website especially for senior citizens. Activities like painting, creating music and coming up with a poem help you stay alert and active. Anyone can use the tool, even inexperienced computer users. Try the one-week free trial period, after that the site is available for a fee.
Art
You might not know it but there could be a little Picasso inside you waiting to be discovered. Community colleges offer a number of art classes. Adult eduction programs also cater toward all kinds of interests. There might be a sculpting class waiting for you. Skim through the local paper for art clubs and craft workshops. Dr. Gene Cohen, director of the Center on Aging, Health and Humanities at George Washington University Medical Center, insists, "Art is like chocolate for the brain." As one of his recent studies shows, being involved in arts can keep stress and anxiety down and at the same time improve mental health and self-esteem.
Reading
If your social and physical opportunities are covered, keep your mind sharp with reading. Always been a book lover? Join a book club. Everybody reads the same material then meets regularly to share thoughts and experiences about it. The staff at your local library, the senior or community center should be able to direct you to a club near you. Or visit websites like www.readerscircle.org.
If you think you cannot read anymore because your eyes have gotten worse over the years, think again. "Read" through an audio book to dig into the tremendous ocean of information and literature.
Social Gatherings
If you are a widow/widower, your children live far away or you are by yourself for other reasons, you need some social gatherings with people your age. Visit your local community center or church for information on senior groups. After a church service, invite others to get to know you over a cup of coffee or lunch. You can also meet people by taking classes, participating in daytrips, tour groups or joining an already existing group. Check local ads in the newspaper or at the grocery store.
Tags: community center, your local, local community, local community center, senior community, senior community center