New Year Resolutions for Senior Citizens: It’s that time of year again when we start thinking about what we want to change in the coming twelve months. If you’re a senior citizen, there are some New Year resolutions that are particularly important for you to consider. In this blog post, we’ll look at four key areas that you might want to focus on in 2023 to create a happier and healthier year.
Resolution #1: Set a goal to stay active for at least 30 minutes every day
For elderly adults, staying active is an important part of cultivating a healthy lifestyle. A great way to begin the journey toward physical fitness is to set a goal to be active every day. The Australian Government recommends that seniors should aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity per day. This can include walking, cycling, swimming, and dancing – anything that gets your heart rate up.
Regular physical activity has been associated with improved cognitive performance and overall mental health as well as with reducing the risk of chronic illnesses such as high blood pressure and osteoporosis.
Resolution #2: Make a plan to eat healthy meals, including more fruits and vegetables
Eating healthy is great advice for senior citizens, as it can help support a strong immune system and aid with overall health. Again, the Australian Government recommends that seniors should aim for a balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables. This can be achieved by making sure that at least one-third of your plate consists of vegetables, and the other two-thirds consist of healthy proteins and carbohydrates.
A few ideas to get started could include adding apples or bananas to breakfast, packing a salad or veggie wrap for lunch, and eating a side of steamed vegetables at dinner. Creating a meal plan at the beginning of each week can make sure that you not only have convenient access to healthy meals, but also that you are getting all the essential vitamins and minerals needed each day to stay healthy and active.
Resolution #3: Spend more time with family and friends
Spending quality time with family and friends is a great way to re-energise yourself. It provides an opportunity to build strong relationships, reminisce about shared experiences, and create lasting memories. Not only will it make you feel more connected with the people around you, but it can also help to reduce stress and elevate your mood. Research suggests that spending more time with family and friends is linked to greater mental well-being, so why not make 2023 the year you resolve to enjoy more social interaction?
Resolution #4: Take up a new hobby or activity that you've always wanted to try
There are countless activities out there to choose from; everything from hot air ballooning to gardening and biking. Trying something new can be a great way to stay active and mentally sharp. The key is to select something that you’ll thoroughly enjoy doing, as it will lead to greater success with the activity. As an extra benefit, trying something new can also help your social life by introducing you to new people who have similar interests. So don’t hesitate — take the leap today and find something new that makes you excited!
Final thoughts
Making a commitment to better health and happiness this year is an admirable goal. It can be difficult to stay on track but with dedication and planning, it’s not impossible. Set small goals and objectives, then take things one step at a time. It should come as no surprise that staying active, keeping your diet on-point, spending quality time with loved ones, exploring fun activities, learning something new daily, and managing stress levels are all invaluable investments in one’s well-being.
At Olivet Care, we understand the importance of taking care of yourself so that you can continue to live life to the fullest. We genuinely believe that the opportunity to engage in social activities and build meaningful relationships is an important part of the ageing journey. Our wide range of lifestyle and social activities are designed to bring people together, when they are living on-site at our facility. We also offer a fantastic respite option for carers who need a break from their daily roles knowing that their loved ones are in a safe and stimulating environment at Olivet Care’s day program.
Get in touch with us today to learn more about our complete range of care options and see how we can help you or your family on the journey ahead.
Wishing everyone a safe, healthy, and happy year in 2023.
