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Tips for An Active Start to the New Year for Seniors

January 18, 2021

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There’s no question that 2020 was a challenging year. COVID-19 made it much more difficult for seniors to stay active because of social distancing and quarantine. Combine that with the season of new year’s resolutions, and you get a reignited passion for seniors to be more active in 2021.

The start of the new year is the perfect time to set some goals to boost your level of wellness. While you’re excited for 2021, you want to make sure you’re doing everything you can to ensure that your year gets off to an active start.

The good news is that Franciscan Ministries is here to help support your new year’s goals.

4 Tips to Help You Get an Active Start in the New Year

1. Try to Keep a Positive Mindset

Did you know that having a positive mindset can help you stay active? Positive thinking can actually decrease feelings of isolation and loneliness in older adults. Plus, having a positive mindset can help you keep an open mind while you explore new ways to stay active.

For example, maybe you’re someone who has never liked hiking. But positive thinking can help you keep an open mind and try new activities. And you can work on your goal of positive thinking no matter where you are.

2. Start Something New

Whether it’s signing up for a tai chi class or finally starting the garden you were planning, the new year is a great time to start a new activity. The process of learning a new activity will also help keep your mind sharp as you use your critical and creative thinking skills.

When you take the time to learn a new activity, you’re more likely to stick with it. Try to stick with the new activity or hobby until through the learning curve. You might be surprised about the level of passion you develop while learning a new activity.

3. Try to Exercise at Least 10 Minutes Each Day

Being active in your lifestyle doesn’t mean you have to spend the majority of your free time exercising. Some of the most successful new year’s resolutions start small. A good starting point is aiming for 10 minutes of exercise every day. And what’s great is you can pick from any type of exercise that interests you.

Whether it’s walking or a water aerobics class, exercising for 10 minutes each day will help you build endurance. Once you get used to this level of activity, you can slowly work your way up to more. Before you start any new exercise, it’s important that you talk with your doctor first.

4. Get into Volunteering

The simple act of helping someone in need can be great motivation to help you stay active. Volunteering helps you get out of the house while bringing more fulfillment and purpose into your life. One of the best things about volunteering is that you can pick a cause that ties into one of your passions.

If you love animals, you can find a local animal shelter that you can donate your time to. When you volunteer, you’ll also meet people who share your interests. These connections can blossom into friendships that can help motivate you to get out and volunteer more often.

Discover an Active Lifestyle at Franciscan Ministries

At Franciscan Ministries, you can enjoy an active lifestyle in retirement that’s free from the hassles of home maintenance. Our independent living can help you simplify your life as you take part in activities and passions that you love.

If you’re interested in making new friends, forging meaningful connections and becoming part of a welcoming community, we’re here to help. Start your senior living search by finding a Franciscan Ministries independent living community near you. And be sure to contact our expert senior living team with any questions that you might have.

Visit one of our senior living communities near you: