Summer occupies a special place in the hearts and minds of many people. After all, those sunny days traditionally offered a break from classrooms and a promise of delightful freedom. While their schooldays may be a fond but distant memory, seniors can still embrace that seasonal spirit of adventure. With so many fun summer activities for seniors, the hardest part may be deciding what to do first.
Summer Activities for Seniors
When weighing summer activities for seniors, you’ll want to consider both your interests and your capabilities. You may decide to continue or resume a much-loved pastime. However, you’re never too old to try something new – so don’t be afraid to explore hobbies that you haven’t tried before.
Gardening
Gardening produces tangible results in the form of gorgeous foliage or tasty foodstuffs. It also offers many benefits that are harder to qualify. For example, prepping the soil, planting, weeding, and harvesting all require a fair amount of movement, which means that maintaining a garden can be a fun way to exercise. It also reduces stress, boosts your mood, and helps your body get enough vitamin D. Produced by the skin as a result of sun exposure, vitamin D benefits both your immune system and your bone health. As AARP reports, studies suggest that gardening may also reduce your risk of dementia.
Photography
In the past, photography was an expensive and complicated venture. With today’s technology, it’s only as hard as you want it to be. A digital camera offers the freedom to take as many pictures as you like, so you’re able to experiment. If you prefer simplicity, a point-and-shoot camera is the perfect option. If you want a challenge, you’ll find an endless array of professional-grade cameras and lenses as well as photo-editing programs to play with.
Swimming
According to CBS News, Maurine “Mighty Mo” Kornfeld learned to swim when she was 65. By the time she turned 98, she’d earned 14 world championship gold medals, set 28 world records, and been inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame. While you may prefer an approach that’s less competitive, there’s no doubt that swimming can be a fun form of exercise that builds strength and endurance while treating aging joints gently.
Antiquing
Going antiquing is like embarking on a treasure hunt. Every venture brings a chance to discover something new and unique. You can choose to focus on a particular era or type of antique or simply search for things that tickle your fancy. Likewise, you can treat antiquing as an intellectual curiosity, an adventure in decorating, or a quest. Whatever your approach, it’s a great excuse to stroll around, interact with other people, and have fun.
Birdwatching
Birding is an activity that rewards patience and curiosity. You can travel to local parks or wildlife areas by yourself or join birding groups for a social experience. Do you have a backyard? Set up a bird feeder or a birdbath, and you’ll soon be able to watch feathered creatures flock to them from the comfort of your home. Whether you simply enjoy watching the birds or you challenge yourself to learn to identify them by their appearance or their calls, birdwatching is an entertaining way to spend the hours.
Reading
Some people prefer the feel and heft of a physical book. They love to wander the aisles of a bookstore as they hunt for interesting prospects. Others delight in being able to download an e-book on almost any subject in an instant. Regardless of the format you choose, reading is a fantastic way to spend a summer day. It’s a hobby that can be indulged almost anywhere that helps to keep the mind active and engaged. It’s also one that can be done solo or socially. Book clubs offer a great way to get together, engage in conversations, and forge friendships.
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Summer days are full of opportunity. At the Shores of Lake Phalen, we delight in providing our residents with a vibrant, thriving community where there’s always something to do or see. To learn more about activities in and around our community, contact us today.
Are you looking for a community that provides a positive, healthy atmosphere where you can live out your golden years? The Shores of Lake Phalen is an assisted living community in a quiet, peaceful environment in Maplewood, Minnesota. Surrounded by a gorgeous wooded setting between two lakes, our residence offers the accessibility of apartment-style housing with the atmosphere and elegance of a resort. We offer numerous health and safety amenities, fun events and activities, a friendly and accommodating staff, and so much more. Schedule a tour of the community to explore our spacious apartments, elegant dining room, and more. We look forward to hearing from you!