Winter fun for seniors

Winter’s short days and cold nights, lack of light, and added burden of snow and ice, can feel extra difficult for seniors. But while the struggle is real, winter also offers a variety of ways to make ourselves extra snug, warming the soul along with the body. Planning ahead and having a calendar full of ideas and activities can make the daunting winter months much more joyful.

Living well in the winter, according to people in Scandinavia, requires a dedicated lifestyle. “Hygge” is the all-encompassing term used in Denmark to surround yourself with all of the things that make life good. Friendship, seasonal food and drink, and cozy indoor settings are all ways to live out Hygge. Here are a few Hygge-inspired ways for seniors to enjoy the winter!

Senior-friendly outdoor activities

Taking a walk is of course one of the best, most simple outdoor activities for seniors. Studies show that walking outside can drastically improve mental and physical health for all people. A Harvard Medical School article also writes that walking boosts immune function, and helps to ease joint pain, which is especially important for seniors. Getting at least 30 minutes of natural light per day helps people sleep well, which is vital to overall well-being.

But we know that winter weather can make getting outside a challenge for seniors when the weather is not ideal. Icy sidewalks, unsafe roads, and freezing temperatures all can make for major hurdles to getting out. But you can enjoy the outdoors without moving too much as well. One fun idea is to cook outdoors, on a barbecue, or to make a bonfire at your own home. Cooking vegetables and meat over a grill is one easy way to get some sun and fresh air! And, if you don’t have grill access, perhaps a small fire to make smores will strike some interest. Outdoor heat lamps can help cut the cold and create a cozy outdoor environment as well.

Visit indoor and outdoor attractions

One fun idea to break up the winter routine is to visit outdoor light attractions. During the holiday season, often cities have fun holiday light events like “zoo lights” or lights at a forest preserve. These options offer easy walking paths and fun social settings.

Indoor attractions are also a great option for the coldest days. Visiting an art gallery, a historical or science museum, or the local senior center are great options to fill cold winter days. Many cities publish guides to the best indoor attractions so a quick search can help point the direction to the hours of operation and potentially discounts and special hours for seniors.

Soak & relax

One great way to live the hygge lifestyle and take advantage of cold weather is to visit a sauna or a hot tub. For seniors with arthritis or other aches and pains, a soothing soak can be greatly effective in pain relief. And as winter often brings a more sedentary lifestyle, a hot tub can be a great way to loosen sore muscles. A hot soak is shown to decrease stress as well.

It’s important however to make sure that a hot tub or sauna is no hotter than 104 degrees. Drinking water while in a sauna or hot tub is vital as well because it’s a dehydrating activity. Be sure to give yourself time after a sauna to relax before going out into the cold as the temperature swing can be a shock!

Healthy & fun winter recipes

One of the best parts of winter weather is enjoying cold-weather foods like delicious soups, and baked goods. Nothing says cozy like a great big bowl of hot soup and freshly baked bread. Making holiday cookies with loved ones, and other seasonal treats can bring back sentimental memories while creating new ones with family and friends.

Here are some websites that offer unique takes on classic foods which have whole ingredients, and are very healthy: Cookie and Kate (offers recipes for whole-grain baked goods, and vegan and vegetarian dishes) and Eating Well (offers winter-focused lean recipes for many different types of food.)

Indoor exercise ideas

If you can’t work out outdoors, consider working up a sweat at a gym, in an exercise class at a senior center, or try an in-home workout. Exercising increases stamina, boosts mood, and increases strength. All of the necessary ingredients to living a good life!

Weightlifting, in particular, is important to the overall wellness of seniors. It is important to fight off muscle loss that occurs with aging, and lifting weights helps to improve mobility and physical functioning for all of the activities of daily life. This article, Weight Training for Seniors: 3 Basic Exercises, offers some good ideas for exercises seniors can do at home or at a gym.

Many seniors also enjoy yoga, at a studio or at home. Having a flexible body will help seniors stay alert and emotionally healthy. Improved balance is also a great benefit of yoga, as seniors lose balance as they age. There are a variety of free yoga teachers on YouTube, where individuals can learn beginner’s yoga gradually, or take a wide variety of yoga classes. Fightmaster Yoga and Yoga with Adriene both offer great at-home practices.

Join a new club

Do you enjoy playing cards, or talking about old movies, or are you a voracious reader? Perhaps this winter, it’s time to join a new club and meet new people! The website meetup.com has a wide variety of location-based clubs and groups based on interests. Some are even specifically designed for seniors! So, if your local senior center isn’t cutting it, there are always more ways to connect with a new, interesting community, and stimulate your mind this winter!