Amazing Summer Hobbies for Seniors Who Want to Get Active

Summer is short. It will be over in the blink of an eye. So, take advantage of the sunshine and clear skies before it all disappears. Here are four amazing activities that are perfect for getting exercise and enjoying the summer weather.

Gardening:

Gardening has lots of wonderful benefits, like reducing stress, improving your heart health, and boosting your motor skills. So, it’s the perfect time to put on a sunhat and give your green thumb a workout.

If your home doesn’t have a big yard to work in, there are other ways that you can get your hands into the soil. Sign up to join a community garden. Get plants for your balcony, porch or windowsill. Grow your beautiful plants indoors.

If you’re planning on moving soon, there are retirement homes in Ottawa that offer ample opportunity for residents to garden. The senior living facilities have balconies that are the perfect spots for potted plants and flowers. They also have a gardening club for anyone that’s looking for like-minded friends to join them whenever they grab their gloves and trowels.

Yoga:

Yoga is an incredible activity, no matter your age. It helps improve balance, mobility, flexibility, and strength. And it does wonders for your mental health, too. Yoga is famous for relieving mental stress and tension, leaving you feeling calm and collected once the session ends. If you can, do your yoga practice outside, where you can breathe in the fresh air.

If you have mobility issues, you can do chair yoga — these are poses specifically designed for people sitting down. This is also a useful option for seniors with chronic joint pain or balance problems.

Walks:

A brisk walk is an easy way to get your heart rate up and explore the great outdoors. It’s low impact, so you don’t have to worry about putting too much pressure on your joints. It’s affordable, all you need is a comfy pair of sneakers — and maybe a bottle of water for when you need to quench your thirst. And you can do the activity alone or with company, whether that be with a friend or a pet.

To challenge yourself, get a pedometer to count your steps. The next day that you got out for a walk, try to get more steps than you did on the first one. Rinse and repeat.

Dancing:

Dancing is an excellent activity for seniors. It can help you work on your cardio, flexibility, balance, and coordination. And the best thing? It’s a lot of fun. If you’ve never done this before and you’re shy, you don’t have to worry about getting in front of a big group of people. Join an online dance class for seniors or watch a tutorial so that you can follow the moves without having all eyes on you. Soon enough, you’ll be confident enough to show off your fancy footwork.

There’s no reason to waste your summer months feeling like a couch potato. You can get up and get moving! There’s no time like the present.