Fill in the answer to this sentence.
“I always wanted to try _______________ when I was younger, but I just never had the time!”
No matter how passionate we are about life and getting the most out of every day, most of us still wish there were more hours in the day, fewer hours in the workweek, and more time to try our hand at activities that interest us.
One of the very best things about our golden years is the opportunity to try out those experiences and activities that always seemed just a bit out of our reach in our earlier years, be it because of expenses, family commitments, work schedule, or simply because we were too busy enjoying our kids, our pets, and our lives as they were.
Now is the time to embrace your reduced amount of responsibility and stress and pursue those interests that escaped you during your earlier years. And remember, former President George H.W. Bush celebrated his 90th birthday by jumping out of an airplane! Truly, there is no limit to what the power of the human spirit is capable.
While the former Commander in Chief set his sights sky high, you can begin your new interests anywhere you want – on the dance floor, in the library, taking road trips, or even in the pool!
Here are a few fun, senior social activities that can get you thinking outside your comfort zone as you transition into your golden years.
Exercise/Dance
Nothing makes you feel younger than a good bout of raising your heart rate, and there’s no healthier way to do that than with a nice workout – be it on the treadmill, the pool, the gym, or even, you guessed it, the dance floor. Getting some good, old-fashioned exercise helps keep our hearts and lungs functioning nicely, our muscles and bones staying strong, and our spirits high. Exercising in water helps lighten the strain on our muscles and bones as the water and our own buoyancy work together to reduce the impact of our activities. Achieve all of this and more at our senior fitness club at Discovery Commons At College Park.
If you’re more into traditional forms of exercise, you’ll find the gym and treadmill aren’t just great places to burn calories, but they are also tremendous for improving your social skills. Lifetime friends have been made on the elliptical or the treadmill as strangers share goals, concerns, watch favorite TV shows, and make plans for fun things to do when the exercise sessions are complete. Dancing combines the best of both the social and the physical elements – providing hours of fun with friends and getting your pulse going without you even noticing! You can dance to the favorite music of your youth or learn some new tunes at organized events like the ones at Discovery Commons At College Park.
Cards/Games
A little healthy competition never hurt anyone, and plenty of our residences will tell you that it’s downright fun! Nothing like a good card game to enliven your spirit and allow you some mental exercise as well as you strategize, either alone or as team, over classics like mahjongg, bridge, and canasta. But games don’t have to be limited to sitting around a table, either. Try out shuffleboard to combine physical skills with problem-solving, and take on all challengers in lively competitions that keep everyone smiling and interested. Come rain or shine, there’s always a new challenge awaiting in our gaming rooms at Discovery Commons At College Park.
Reading
Curling up with a good book seems something of a lost art in the age of smartphones, Kindles, Nooks, and laptops, but for plenty of people, it’s still the perfect way to spend a lazy afternoon or to wind down before bed. From literary classics to modern best-sellers, our library boasts a wide range of authors and titles, with plenty of non-fiction works as well for when you want to read about history, industry, current events, or self-improvement.
Travel
When you’re feeling cooped up, there’s nothing like the open road to get your pulse pounding and get yourself on your way to a new adventure. At Discovery Commons At College Park, our Connections Transportation program can take you to your favorite local attractions right here in the greater Indianapolis area!
For more information on our independent senior living programs, be sure to contact us online or give us a call at 317-961-7256 today!
