As the weather gets cold, it’s a great time to stay inside, try something new, and improve your health while doing so. Here are some tips to integrate wellness habits into your daily routine as you turn up the heat and stay warm.
Pick up a Hobby Inside
Now that gardening, pickleball, and golf have wrapped up for the year, walking indoors could be a possibility. Just simply walking up and down a flight of stairs can be an incredible workout.
Or, you could try yoga. As the writers from Senior Helpers report, “restorative yoga is a form of yoga that is safe for seniors and promotes both a healthy brain and body. The stretches are gentle and can be easily accommodated for older adults. Engaging regularly in this type of yoga can be beneficial for a senior’s respiratory system. Restorative yoga can also aid in weight loss, promote better circulation, and keep joints properly lubricated. The longer individuals practice restorative yoga, the more likely they are to experience the positive benefits of it!”
If yoga isn’t your thing but watching TV is, you can stretch as you sit in your chair and watch TV. This article from SilverSneakers demonstrates how. You can alleviate stress in your neck, back, hips, and legs with minimal effort. And, you get to watch TV!
Try New Recipes
With the winter season in effect, it is a great time to stay inside and try some new recipes. Integrating new fruits and vegetables into your meals is a terrific way to not only incorporate different nutrients into your diet but also try new foods!
How about some buffalo cauliflower1 as you watch football on the weekend? It’s a fun and creative spin on buffalo chicken wings, and your friends won’t even believe it’s cauliflower. Plus, if you have an air fryer, you can make the cauliflower in the air fryer.
If you need to add some sunshine to your cold winter’s day, you could try this Mediterranean salmon salad.2 It features avocados, salmon, and leafy greens. Together, the ingredients provide a great mix of nutrients, fiber, and protein, while also incorporating omega 3 fatty acids, which are great for maintaining a healthy brain.
Challenge Your Brain
Incorporate some mental exercises into your day. Games such as sudoku, crosswords, and puzzles are all great ways to push yourself and your knowledge. Incorporating activities such as these have shown to have positive effects on memory, concentration, and problem solving, as well as reducing aging effects that take place on the brain. For more information on the health benefits and ways you can incorporate them into your life, you can refer to this Healthline article about the importance of brain exercises for seniors.
1Love & Lemons—the air fryer recipe is also from Love & Lemons
2Café Delites