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Summer is on the horizon, and with the changing season comes a chance to work on your tan and soak in some much-needed vitamin D. While the sparkling ocean and cold lemonade beckons us, there are so many bucket list activities for boomers to enjoy in the summer of their retirement.
If you want to know what should a senior do during the summer, this article is for you. There are numerous ways to be active and enjoy the summer, from outdoor adventures to indoor hobbies! Let’s first talk about the benefits of staying active!
4 Benefits of staying active in the summer for seniors
The first step to having good health is to have an active lifestyle. This applies to all seniors, whether you live alone or in an assisted living facility. Staying active can prolong your longevity and give you a better chance to enjoy the blessings of retirement.
Let’s look at the numerous benefits of staying active:
1. Better physical health
Research has shown that staying active has numerous physical health benefits, such as better sleep, less anxiety, and stimulated brain activity. Even if you are in a senior living facility such as assisted living, staying active can also reduce your chances of heart attack, prevent cancer, improve bone health, and so on.
2. Improved mental health
Through physical exercise and exposure to sunlight, you can develop stronger bones, have a better mood, and enhance cognition. Sunlight increases our vitamin D levels, which is responsible for these benefits. With physical activity, we release endorphins, known as feel-good hormones, that regulate stress and promote a better sense of well-being.
3. Build social connections
For seniors, it is easier to stay in shape and active if they partner these activities with loved ones. Tai-chi and meditation classes have become exciting opportunities as seniors get to connect and make new friends. With age, people get lonelier; however, participating in such classes or activities can give older adults a chance to have a good social life.
4. More independence
Even if seniors need occasional assistance with daily activities, if they can perform most activities independently, it helps them hold onto their independence. They have greater self-esteem and feel empowered to take on more complex tasks and enjoy life more.
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Top 5 senior activity ideas for you to try in the summer!
Summer is calling you with fantastic weather and new opportunities for an incredible year. To have a memorable summer, check out the following 5 activities for seniors to enjoy this season:
1. Enjoy outdoor activities
Summer offers the chance to enjoy nature because of its agreeable weather. Also, the sky and the environment are in their best colors. Which is prettier, a blue ocean glittering diamonds in the sun under clear skies or the same ocean silver and mellow under a dull, wintry sky?
We’ve already explored the positives of staying active, especially outdoors. To enjoy the fresh air, consider activities like hiking, swimming, walking, or outdoor fitness classes.
2. Flex your creative muscles with arts and crafts
If you’re not a fan of the outdoors, there’s a way you can enjoy summer from your living room window. For seniors, arts and crafts activities are therapeutic and a fun way to spend time individually or in a group. Whether through drawing, knitting, or painting, craft activities boost self-confidence for older adults, giving them the courage to take on more challenging projects. Join a local art class or crafting club and spend the summer making new friends!
3. Explore new hobbies
Besides relaxing by the pool, summer can also be a time to discover your hidden talents. Explore new hobbies, enroll in a book club, and find your favorite books to read. Engage in other mentally stimulating activities, such as pottery, which can help you reduce the risk of dementia. You can even consider learning a new language or attending a class on how to start a new business.
4. Spend time with family & friends
The best part about summer is that your friends and family, especially your grandchildren, are likely on vacation. So, while the weather is quite agreeable, it’s easier to connect with your social circle and keep up with your loved ones.
During this season, you can consider hosting a family BBQ, having frequent virtual calls, or even joining a community club. Staying connected to a social circle can help you reduce your chances of depression by overcoming loneliness.
5. Give back to the community and volunteer
One unique activity to try out this summer is giving back to your community through volunteering. This will spark feelings of fulfillment and give you a sense of purpose. You can positively impact your community and set a good example for the next generation. So, check in with your local community and see how you can help. Sometimes, even distributing cold drinks from your home to your neighbors is also an act of community kindness.
5 Fun summer activities for seniors to enjoy
Are you looking for activities to make your summer more fun and carefree? In addition to what we’ve already listed, here are 5 more activities for you to check out:
1. Travelling
Summer is the best season for enjoying a vacation. Whether you travel in the country or overseas, the weather during this season is best for adventures, sightseeing, and sports. Enjoy the sun on the gorgeous beaches of California or enjoy a relaxing getaway in Florida. Visit the High Roller Las Vegas Ferris Wheel, zipline through Jurassic Valley in Oahu, and get your adrenaline pumping with the excitement that comes with the season of sunny skies! Before setting out, make sure to check out our travel tips.
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2. Enjoy water sports
There are more ways to spend your time in the water other than just swimming. Consider riding jet skis, kayaking, or even water aerobics. Why not be a little daring and sign up for a surfing lesson? These are fun and challenging activities for seniors to enjoy this summer!
3. Outdoor games
For seniors, keeping the inner child alive is essential so that the excitement for life doesn’t lose its shine. Consider outdoor games with friends and family, such as tennis, croquet, or volleyball at the beach. If you want something more relaxing, consider playing chess in the park or golf with loved ones.
4. Gardening
Summer is the best time to enjoy the benefits of gardening. This activity can keep seniors active; it is calming, and a well-grown plant at the end of the long process can bring a strong sense of accomplishment. Gardening is also great for physical exercise, improving one’s mood, and reducing stress.
5. Mind-body activities
Enjoy summer’s fresh air and sunlight while you do physical exercises that can also help you strengthen the mind. Stay balanced as you try activities such as yoga, tai-chi, and meditation with friends. A calm mind and healthy body can help a senior have a more positive outlook on life!
6 Bonus unique activities for seniors to try this summer
You may be searching for some out-of-the-box ideas to make this season unforgettable. Check out these activities’ fun-filled days of summer:
- Dance class
- Bike rides
- Picnics
- Cooking summer-friendly dishes
- Photography
- Join a book club to discover your favorite books.
Summer safety tips for seniors
With age comes increasing vulnerability to weather and associated sicknesses. While we encourage seniors to live life to the fullest this summer, we also caution against taking protection against the heat. For instance, if you drink less water in the summer, you may suffer from dehydration, which is particularly common in women. In general, 10% of women 65 years and older have reported suffering from UTI (Urinary Tract infection). Dehydration is one of the leading causes.
As people age, older adults tend to have thinner skin and are prone to being vulnerable to the sun’s damaging UV rays. If seniors are not careful during the summer, this can result in red, sore skin and pain.
Luckily, we have some tips for you to stay safe during the summer:
- Stay hydrated and drink water at periodic intervals. Consider making nutritional juices for hydration in the summer.
- Wear sunscreen regularly to protect your skin against sunlight exposure. It can help reduce the potential for skin cancer.
- Consider wearing sunglasses and a hat. This will protect your eyes and face from the heat.
- Wear clothing with sleeves and similar garments to protect your body against the sun’s harsh rays.
Final thoughts
Summer is the golden time for seniors to enjoy their retirement. From indoor activities such as arts and crafts to adventurous water sports, there is a fun thing for everyone to try this season. Older adults can embrace their creativity, explore new hobbies, or relax through sun-filled days of bliss.
Nevertheless, seniors should take safety precautions against the summer heat, such as staying hydrated and wearing sunblock. How do you plan on spending summer this year? Share below!
FAQs
What are some popular activities for seniors?
Besides the activities discussed, seniors enjoy renovating their homes in the summer. They also take classes to explore their creativity and grow skills, such as learning a second language. Seniors also enjoy visiting museums and spending time at amusement parks in the summer.
What are some fun indoor activities for senior citizens?
While summertime can be magical, to enjoy days of unforgiving heat from the comforts of your home, consider the following activities:
- Have a movie marathon.
- Host a karaoke night with loved ones.
- Enjoy afternoon tea and snacks with friends.
What are some fun activities when it’s crazy hot outside?
For unbearably hot days, have fun in the summer with these activities:
- Have a lemonade party with friends and eat light snacks.
- Go for a day in the pool at your local leisure spot.
- Visit your closest ice cream parlor with loved ones.
What are some May activity ideas for seniors?
May is part of spring, meaning nature is in bloom, and the colors of the outside world are vibrant. To prepare for summer, seniors can consider reading in the park, taking photos of nature, enjoying fresh air through gardening or hiking, and even shopping!
