To Build Healthy Routines, Visit an RI Senior Center Today!
From getting plenty of sleep, to eating well, to exercising regularly, most of us know what things we should do to be healthy as we age. But some new research finds that another aspect of lifestyle makes a big difference in terms of happiness and keeping a sharp mind, and that’s simply having daily routines.
A new study from the University of Pittsburgh found that older adults with regular activity routines are happier and do better on cognitive tests. The research suggests that “patterns of activity — not just activity intensity — are important for healthy aging and mental health.” The study found that people who have strong routines and are active for more of the day had better cognitive function and fewer symptoms of depression.
Study author Stephen Smagula, PhD explains: “People often think about activity intensity being important for health, but it might be the duration of activity that matters more … This is a different way of thinking about activity: You may not need to be sprinting or running a marathon but simply staying engaged with activities throughout the day.”
Want to start building healthy routines but not sure where to start? Smagula suggests waking up at the same time each day, and “having a realistic plan to keep active through the whole day. This can be really hard — especially if you’re in a slump or recovering from an injury — so it’s important to be reasonable with yourself… A plan could include making a list of activities you enjoy and scheduling time to meet a friend or neighbor.”
One practical way to build more routine into your life is to participate in organized activities you enjoy. September is National Senior Center Month and this is a great reminder of the myriad programs and activities that can be accessed through the more than 30 seniors centers throughout Rhode Island.
Most centers publish a weekly or monthly calendar chock full of fitness classes, cards and games drop-ins, walking clubs, hot meals, and much more. A silver lining of the pandemic is the popularization of online programs, too: many centers also offer a calendar of classes or clubs you can join from home using a computer or tablet.
Some centers also offer grocery shuttles, which can help you build shopping for healthy food into your weekly routine. Other recurring services that many centers offer: blood pressure and foot care clinics, hairdressing, nurse consultations, tech support and more.
After more than two years of living with COVID, many of us are yearning for regularity and predictability, as well as social interaction and the sense that our lives are meaningful. Seniors centers can play a huge role in helping build up Rhode Island seniors’ calendars with things to look forward to, as well as increasing their sense of community.
After all, “having something to wake up for each morning and having a full day that you find purposeful and rewarding might be what’s important for us sleeping well at night and aging well,” notes Smagula.