Older Americans Month was established in 1963. At that time there were only 17 million Americans who had reached their 65th birthday. About a third of these lived in poverty and there were few programs available to help them with their needs. This year the theme for Older Americans Month is Engage at Every Age. This is to emphasize that no matter what age you are you can take part in activities which will help you physically, mentally and emotionally.
What are some activities that can help us with wellness at any age?
- Don’t give up on your dreams. Just because you never became a famous ballerina or a well known author doesn’t mean you can’t keep dancing or writing. The activities you loved when you were young can quite often be good for you throughout your life.
- Eat more fruits and vegetables. When out grocery shopping, spend more time and purchase most of your food in the produce section. Your body and mind will thank you for it.
- Learn to handle stress. We all have our own ways to de-stress. It could be reading, listening to quiet music, spending time in the garden or soaking in the bathtub. Find out what works for you and make sure you spend time each day relaxing in some way.
- Get moving. Exercise or any physical activity is one of the best things for our bodies. Physical wellness leads to mental wellness. Find a physical activity that you enjoy or just get out and walk. Start off slow. Any activity is better than no activity at all.
- Learn something new. If there is one thing the internet has brought us, it is the opportunity to learn new things. There are free lessons in just about everything. What are you interested in? Learn more about it. An inquiring mind is one which is strong.
Older Americans Month also involves passing on your wisdom to those who are younger than you. Spend time with grandchildren teaching them about the old ways to do things and have them learn from your experience. Between the two of you, you can Engage at Every Age!
