For older adults, there is a delicate balance between enjoying retirement with a flexible schedule and having structure each day. We promote a lifestyle at Buckner Retirement that strikes the right balance and encourages seniors to incorporate healthy habits into their daily lives.
Our residents are at the center of everything we do, which is why we strive to help them live the best lifestyle possible during their golden years. Educational programs in our communities promote cognitive function, physical and recreational activities provide opportunities for exercise, and our transportation services help our residents see more of Austin, TX. Get in touch with us by calling 214.227.7182 to learn more about our approach to senior wellness.
The Importance of Routines for Seniors
Retirement should be when seniors enjoy a slower pace of life and finally find time to do the things they enjoy. However, that doesn’t mean a routine must go out the window. Prioritizing some healthy habits every day can regulate mood and maintain physical fitness. Three significant categories of daily habit include:
- Physical – Staying active helps improve heart health and maintain strong muscles and bones, but it also has mental health benefits which can improve memory and mood.
- Mental – Engaging in regular learning opportunities, games, or mentally stimulating activities can improve communication and even have benefits for motor skills retention.
- Social – Interacting with other people in a community or in a new setting helps keep the brain engaged and curious, which can benefit a person’s satisfaction.
These types of habits can be as simple or complex as someone wants. In fact, all three categories mentioned above can be checked off by taking a walk with a friend using a new route every day.
Senior routines don’t have to be rigid and can even change daily. However, having some sense of routine creates stability and can even be comforting to many seniors.
Good Daily Habits for Seniors
One of the benefits of having a routine is it makes it easier to build healthy habits. Adding 20 minutes of healthy effort to your daily routine can make a big difference. Here are three daily habits that seniors should strive to include in their routines.
1. Exercise
Daily exercise is vital for people of all ages, but seniors especially. As adults get older, they are more likely to develop chronic illnesses, and this risk becomes even more significant for adults who don’t exercise.
Daily exercise does not have to be strenuous, and seniors with mobility limitations can still find activities to move their bodies and strengthen their muscles.
Building a daily exercise into a senior’s routine has many benefits, including:
- Improved mood
- Higher energy levels
- Greater self-confidence
- Stronger muscles
- Stronger bones
- Lower blood pressure
- Lower risk of developing new chronic illness
The easiest way to build exercise into a daily routine is by incorporating variety. Doing the same exercise day in and day out can get boring, and you may lose motivation. Try different activities or exercises to keep it interesting, and you will find out what works best for you.
2. Brain Engaging Activity
Seniors are vulnerable to experiencing a cognitive decline with age, which can eventually lead to chronic diseases, including dementia and Alzheimer’s.
Although these diseases have no proven cure or preventative treatment, engaging in brain activities each day has been shown to improve brain function and slow cognitive decline. That is why incorporating brain-engaging activities into senior routines is crucial to their overall well-being.
Easy ways to engage the brain each day include:
- Doing puzzles
- Crafting
- Reading
- Listening to audiobooks
- Taking a class
- Learning a new language
- Listening to podcasts
- Playing trivia or brain-boosting games
Simply reading or playing a game for a few minutes a day is easy to incorporate into a daily routine and can have real benefits.
3. Socialize
Socialization can be easy to forget about or put off, but it is incredibly important for seniors to socialize often. Seniors who experience loneliness or isolation are far more likely to develop anxiety, depression, and various physical ailments.
Building some socialization into senior routines can keep these feelings at bay. Joining social clubs, attending exercise classes, getting coffee with a friend, or even calling a family member is incredibly important for overall wellness.
Create a Healthy Routine with Buckner Retirement Services
At Buckner Retirement Services, we aim to provide an environment that enables seniors to thrive and live life to the fullest. We know how to build healthy daily routines for seniors and assist residents with any help they may need in their daily life.
Call us at 214.227.7182 or get in touch online to learn more about the opportunities for seniors with Buckner Retirement Services.