Happy New Year! Here we are starting a new year with exciting opportunities to try new things and build new habits. While this is traditionally the time to turn over a new leaf, we don’t actually need a new year to try something new. Especially if you are retired, every new day is a new chance to be, do, try, or start something amazing!
- Try a new Healthy food each week – There are over 300,00 edible plants on the planet, but we cultivate only about 200 species. Make meatless meals a part of your weekly menu.
- Learn something new every day. Learning helps to reduce cognitive decline, depression and low self-image.
- Write. Record your past experiences or journal your current happenings.
- Listen to Live Music as often as you can. Music is good for your health, it triggers the release of dopamine, which is a hormone that makes you feel good.
- Volunteer for a local church or non-profit. It will raise your self-esteem and benefit your community.
- Read More Books. Join the PS! Book Club on the third Monday each Month at 7pm on Zoom. We would be happy to have your reading suggestions.
- Play More. According to George Bernard Shaw, “We grow old because we stop playing.” The CDC reports that playing boosts your energy and vitality and can even improve your body’s resistance to disease.
- Make new friends and acquaintances. Social connections are very important for older people.
- Join a dance or exercise class. Older adults need 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise each week, according to the CDC. Join Poolesville Seniors’ for weekly Ping Pong (Monday), Bridge (Tuesday), Tai Chi (Tuesday) Zumba (Wednesday), and Mahjong (Thursday) or Monthly Trivia Night, Line Dancing, and Movie Night, or quarterly Bingo.
- Get a good night’s sleep, it is great for your mental and physical well-being.
- Be sure to see your doctor and dentist every year.
Make your own list of New Year’s Resolutions and try the easier ones first.