10 Winter Activities For Seniors

In Canada, we experience the change of all seasons, from hot summers, to brisk falls, to freezing winters. The transition to the winter months can be hard on us all, and this is especially true for seniors. The warm weather allows aging seniors to spend time with loved ones outside, as they can enjoy nature and participate in many outdoor activities. These things can significantly improve the quality of life of seniors. However, our aging loved ones can no longer do the same activities when winter hits and when it starts getting colder outside. Not only may seniors feel down due to being stuck inside the house more, their mental health may also be affected as they experience the winter blues.

Studies show that characteristics of winter such as gloomy skies and cold air can make people feel less happy and cheerful during the winter months. These feelings can have a great effect on seniors and their long-term mental health, which can be serious for their overall health. Despite this, there are strategies seniors can take to combat the unpleasant effects that the winter may bring. Here are 10 winter activities for seniors to consider if they want to maintain a more positive mental and physical health throughout the winter. 

1. Yoga

Yoga is a great hobby for seniors to take on during the winter months, and offers many benefits. All seniors need is just enough space to lay a yoga mat down on the floor. This can be done in any area of the house. Fortunately, there are endless fantastic instructional videos online without needing to go to an actual class. Yoga has been known to increase mobility in aging seniors as they are led through gentle stretches. Additionally, yoga can reduce depression and stress in seniors, aiding their mental health further. 

2. Painting Picture Frames

You do not have to be a talented or professional artist to start painting and making it a part of your lifestyle. Everyone, including seniors can appreciate the therapeutic process of creating a picture frame painting. Painting is considered a creative form of expression. Engaging in this activity can improve a seniors emotional, physical, and mental health significantly while they are stuck inside throughout the winter months. Because forms of art therapy such as painting takes focus, this activity can increase the coordination and motor skills of a senior. Since painting is a light form of physical activity, it can increase a seniors blood flow in the hands, wrists, and fingers, and this helps improve their coordination. 

Painting

3. Scrapbooking for Seniors 

Scrapbooking can be a fun and creative way to pass the time while stuck inside during the winter months. It is also a great way to document a seniors family history as they can look back on childhood keepsakes and other precious memories. Like painting, you do not need to have artistic talents to create a scrapbook, as it can be as simple as putting knick-knacks and photos together in a photo album. There are numerous cognitive benefits for scrapbooking. Sorting and organizing through memorable trinkets and photos can trigger memories for aging seniors that they may have forgotten. This has the ability to delay memory loss and can help retain cognitive skills. 

4. Dancing

Research suggests that aging seniors should consider dancing as a fun indoor activity and pastime. Dancing is also known as a method for keeping their bodies and minds active. Seniors may be experiencing sadness during the gloomy winter season. However, dancing can minimize symptoms of sadness and depression. Dancing can also improve the balance and strength of seniors, but is also a safe activity that most aging loved ones can engage in. Further physical health benefits include the reduction of stiffness and joint pain. Dancing is a great winter activity because it can be included into a seniors exercise routine, and can be done anywhere. Additionally, no special equipment is required. There are many accessible youtube videos one can look up and follow if they need guidance. 

Senior Dancing

5. Baking

Baking is also an excellent winter activity for seniors. This activity is not just about producing a delicious baked good, it is also about relaxing and de-stressing. Many studies suggest that baking can be a very effective form of mental therapy, which aids in reducing stress. It has also been studied to help manage and prevent depression. Baking and decorating baked goods is a form of self expression, and studies have displayed that this links to the overall wellbeing of seniors. Baking is also a great way to practice mindfulness, which has many benefits to a seniors physical and mental health. Baking requires seniors to focus on the present task at hand, rather than letting your mind race and worry about other things. 

6. Getting Involved in a Charity 

Volunteering can be a powerful way to make a great impact on the well-being and health of all communities across the world. The great thing about charity work and volunteering is that it does not only make a difference in the lives of people receiving support, it can also benefit volunteers significantly in a social, mental, and physical way.

The National Seniors Council of Canada notes that the aging seniors of Canada make up a large part of the country’s most engaged and active volunteers. It is suggested that seniors who volunteer regularly experience active aging, which overall enhances their quality of life. Volunteering or getting involved in a charity can help aging seniors find a sense of purpose and new meaning in their lives, especially when they are less busy during the winter. Helping others in need of support can help seniors take one’s mind off their own worries. Seniors can look into volunteering their time to local charities, and there is always something that they can do, no matter how little or small. 

7. Animal Therapy

Many people have never heard of animal or pet therapy before. However, it is an increasingly effective and popular form of therapy within the senior community. The name is self explanatory, as animal therapy our aging loved ones play with animals for a given amount of time. It is said that when older adults are given the opportunity to play with animals, it can result in a variety of great health benefits. Playing with animals can increase a seniors mobility, even from simple activities such as petting and brushing.

Additionally, pet therapy can lower the blood pressure of seniors due to the gentle and non-judgemental nature of the relationship between an animal and human. Time spent with animals is a great way to combat isolation and loneliness, as well as bring companionship and comfort to seniors. Overall, this can reduce the stress of aging seniors and promote their health and wellness. Due to pet and animal therapy catching on so much throughout the last few years, it is fairly easy to set up a pet therapy program for your aging loved one. 

Animal Therapy

8. Decorate the House

Since aging seniors will spend a great amount of time inside during the winter months, they can put their creative skills to the test and come up with decorating ideas for their own space. Creating a personalized aesthetic can be a fun way to pass the time, and can help your home feel more comfortable. Designing and decorating a seniors space can make them feel more secure and happy. This can be as simple as re-arranging plants around the house, or putting up a few christmas decorations during the holiday season. 

9. Start Reading More

For people of all ages, reading can be a pleasant and enriching experience for people of all ages. This is true for seniors, as they can get a great deal of satisfaction from just sitting down with a book for a while. Reading is great because of the endless options out there. As well, there are many forms of reading material that seniors can choose from which include poetry, newspapers, magazines, webcontent, books, etc.

As seniors read more, they are able to grow their depth of knowledge and build upon these areas. Reading can help your aging loved ones mental health, better their critical thinking skills, promote their wellness, and can work to battle memory loss. Mental stimulation is a central benefit for seniors. Reading can be regarded as a form of exercise for the brain that can help it to stay healthy and stimulated. Just as importantly, reading helps to reduce the stress of seniors as it can be a form of distraction and help seniors take a step back from their problems for some time. 

Senior Reading

10. Working on Puzzles

Puzzles can be a great winter activity for seniors because they are entertaining, fun, as well as challenging! There are numerous physical, emotional, and mental benefits to solving puzzles. Research suggests that seniors who regularly try to solve any kind of puzzle have sharper brain function then someone who does not, even if they are younger. Solving puzzles can also be a way to boost the mood of aging seniors. Our loved ones can experience a feeling of reward and achievement when solving a new puzzle, and can release dopamine, which is one of the brain's happiness chemicals.