5 Mental and Physical Health Tips for Seniors to Boost Their Quality of Life
If you are an active senior like many of the residents at St. John’s, you may be wondering what you can start doing to make sure you stay in tip-top mental and physical health. Whether you have retired to Cape Cod, Massachusetts, or upstate New York, healthy aging is the key to enjoying an excellent quality of life in your golden years. And, fortunately, taking care of yourself does not have to be difficult. Here are five tips that could help you boost your quality of life easily.
1. Find Fulfillment and Excitement by Starting Your Own Business
Today more than ever many seniors have found that starting a second career can be a fun way to gain fulfillment, improve their mental health, and explore new avenues. If you are interested in reaping these benefits, you may wish to consider starting your own business. This venture can allow you to feel fulfilled and joyful while staying busy.
Before opening your own business, do your research. Learn about start-up process and basic business operations. The first step is to decide what type of business structure to form, such as a New York LLC. Doing so will not only protect your personal assets, it will allow you to have a tax ID number, or EIN, assigned so the IRS can identify your company and track your payroll taxes. Furthermore, having this EIN makes it easier for when tax time comes around. You will be able to easily file your annual or quarterly state and federal taxes.
2. Indulge in a Type of Exercise You Genuinely Enjoy
According to a study by Harvard Medical School, regular exercise is one of the most important components of healthy aging. That is why it is crucial for you to find a workout you truly enjoy and in which you want to indulge.Spend some time exploring different types of exercise that promote physical health.
For instance, you could look into:
• Water aerobics
• Outdoor hiking
• Treadmill and elliptical equipment
• Pilates
• Weight training
• Boxing
3. Make Traveling a More Frequent Part of Your Lifestyle
Psychology Today notes that one way you could relieve stress and spice up your lifestyle is by making travel a more regular part of your year. You do not need to splash out cash on fancy international vacations – even just going out of town for the weekend could help you get away from it all.
Consider going on a mix of relaxing vacations and cultural trips. For instance, you could spend the weekend at a nature spa or fly to a new city to learn about its history.
4. Pick Up Some Fun New Hobbies to De-Stress
Having fun hobbies to help you unwind is essential for your emotional and mental health. You may find that your quality of life increases when you spend more time doing the things you love. If your current hobbies feel a little tired, it may be time to explore potential new ones.
For instance, you may discover that you love:
• Doing yoga
• Playing a musical instrument
• Volunteering at local charities
• Drawing or painting
• Doing puzzles
• Cooking fresh, healthy dishes at home
5. Consider Downsizing Your Home for a Simpler Life
Lastly, many seniors are downsizing as a way of simplifying their lifestyles and relieving themselves of certain types of stress. If your current home is bigger than what you need for your desired lifestyle, it may behoove you to switch to a smaller, cozier place.
Downsizing generally means having:
• Less to clean
• Less to perform maintenance on
• Less to pay property taxes on
• Less to stress over
Looking after your health can help you enjoy a high quality of life throughout your golden years. For seniors looking to improve their physical and mental health, these tips could be a helpful place to start.
Submitted by Andrea Needham
eldersday.org
Image courtesy of Pexels