Wellness Activities for Seniors at State Street in Dover

According to the National Council on Aging, about 93% of seniors have at least one chronic condition. These diseases can limit your ability to perform tasks, leading to lost independence. Regular exercise could help you stay independent.

However, only 23.1% of adults aged 65 and up met the CDC's physical activity guidelines. Exploring wellness activities while living in Dover, DE, could improve your physical, emotional, and mental wellness. Read on to discover how to develop healthy aging routines for seniors with these tips!

Physical Wellness Programs

According to the CDC, about 28% of US adults aged 50 and older are physically inactive. Exercising regularly could help:

• You live independently longer
• Lower your risk of type 2 diabetes
• Lower your risk of stroke and heart disease
• Improve sleep quality
• Improve bone health, balance, and coordination
• You maintain a healthy weight
• Lower your blood pressure
• Ease anxiety and depression symptoms

As you develop your healthy aging routines, include a mix of aerobic, balance, and strength activities.Aerobic activities will get your heart pumping. These include hiking and walking.

Balance exercise can help reduce your risk of a slip and fall accident. Consider joining a pilates or yoga class.

Strength and resistance training activities can improve your flexibility and muscle mass.It's normal for seniors to lose muscle strength as they age. Consider lifting weights or using your body weight.

Your routine should include 150 minutes of aerobic activity and two strength-training sessions a week. Sprinkle balance-improving activities in between. 

Consider exploring your senior living community's fitness program. You can find fun classes and participate alongside friends, such as:

• Swimming
• Water aerobics
• Walking
• Hiking
• Dancing
• Biking
• Tai chi
• Yoga
• Pilates
• Weight lifting
• Range of motion exercises
• Chair exercises
• Pickleball
• Stretches

Relaxation Methods

Exercise can put your body in a state of stress. Chronic stress affects your mental, emotional, and physical health, causing:

• Rapid breathing
• Insomnia
• Digestive issues
• A weakened immune system
• Pounding heart
• Increased risk of heart attack
• Heartburn
• High blood sugar and pressure
• Increased depression symptoms
• Headaches
• Irritability
• Social withdrawal
• Over or under-eating

Try adding relaxation techniques to your healthy aging routines. These can ease feelings of stress and anxiety, lowering inflammation and cortisol levels. Relaxation techniques include:

• Pilates
• Nature walks
• Progressive muscle

After a long day, try to get seven to nine hours of sleep. Sleep gives the mind and body time to heal and recharge. If you're struggling to sleep, consult a doctor or adjust your living environment. 

Memory Care Engagement

Memory engagement can stimulate your brain, potentially improving your cognitive function.Effective activities include:

• Bingo
• Board games
• Crossword puzzles
• Sudoku
• Jigsaw puzzles
• World search puzzles
• Maze games
• Card games
• Music
• Arts and crafts

These activities can help promote better cognitive health. Improving your cognitive function may lead to better emotional regulation and social connections.

Choose activities that encourage creativity. They can help you engage the world in a meaningful way. Use art as an outlet for your self-expression or to navigate complex emotions.

Arts and crafts can help stimulate your imagination, while completing a project can grant a sense of accomplishment. If you're not artistic, consider music therapy or gardening instead.

Music therapy engages different areas of the brain, which may:

• Ease anxiety
• Boost your mood
• Encourage self-expression
• Stimulate language recall
• Support coordination and focus

Gardening will allow you to connect with nature. It may ease your anxiety while encouraging tactile stimulation.

If you enjoy games, try completing a puzzle or word challenge. These activities can stimulate your recall and problem-solving skills. 

Otherwise, consider moving into a senior living community that offers memory care. Their personalized program may include:

• Comprehensive, specialized services
• Assistance from a compassionate team
• Nutrition and dining experiences
• Purpose-driven life enhancement activities

These services may help enrich your life, provide a sense of fulfillment, and offer the support you need. 

Senior Lifestyle Support

According to the National Institute on Aging, social isolation and loneliness can pose health risks. They're linked to physical and mental health conditions, including:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• High blood pressure
• Heart disease
• A weakened immune system
• Alzheimer's disease
• Cognitive decline
• Obesity

Spending time with other seniors can reduce feelings of loneliness. For better senior enrichment, consider moving into a senior living community in Dover. Here are a few ways their exclusive programs can offer senior lifestyle support.

Join a Support Group

Joining a local support group can help you connect with and learn from other seniors. There are groups for grief, health conditions, and other shared life experiences. Joining a group may:

• Ease feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression
• Offer motivation during hard moments
• Provide access to resources
• Empower you
• Increase your coping skills
• Help you feel less alone

Socialize

Explore your senior living community's events and activities calendar. You can find fun opportunities to connect with other seniors, such as:

• Bingo
• Pickleball
• Book or movie club
• Gardening club
• Birdwatching
• Crafting (quilting, knitting, etc.)
• Volunteering

Discovering new hobbies can enhance your mental and physical well-being. It can encourage social interaction, which may relieve stress. These activities could boost your cognitive function, enhancing your quality of life. 

Eat a Healthy Diet

Ask friends in your Dover senior living community to join you for meals. Eating with friends may help:

• Strengthen social connections
• Ease anxiety, stress, and depression
• Increase happiness
• Create positive memories
• Enhance your mental well-being

Explore your senior living community's dining program for healthy, nutritious meals. Eating balanced meals can benefit your mental and physical well-being. 

Prioritize eating whole foods, including:

• Eggs
• Lean meats and fish
• Whole grains
• Legumes
• Nuts and seeds
• Olive oil and other healthy fats
• Fruits and vegetables

These foods can provide your body with the vitamins and minerals it needs to function at its best.

Engage in Wellness Activities

These wellness activities can enhance your mental, physical, and emotional health as you age. Remember, moving into a senior living community can further improve your lifestyle.

Look no further for service-rich senior living than State Street Assisted Living. Our programs are designed to help residents enjoy an active and fulfilling lifestyle with the personalized support they need.

Enjoy exclusive programs, including chef-prepared dining, robust events, and on-site wellness programs. Contact us now to schedule your tour.