New Year's Resolutions for Seniors

We have all heard people saying new year new me as soon as January begins. With the excitement of a brand-new year starting, it can be easy to get swept up in the idea of setting ourselves numerous new goals. Giving yourself a goal to achieve is a great idea but they start to become counterproductive when you set yourself too many or give yourself unrealistic goals.

The best way to think about a new year resolution is as a healthy habit you would like to incorporate into your daily life. New year’s resolutions can be fun and enjoyable challenges that improve your quality of life and health. Focus on turning your resolutions into healthy habits.

We have created a list of 5 healthy, productive and simple new year’s resolution ideas suitable for elderly people.

1. Start a brain training hobby
2. Volunteer
3. Establish a healthy sleep routine
4. Become more active
5. Start Journaling

Cognitive exercises stimulate the brain keeping it sharp. Mental exercise is believed to help maintain brain cells and stimulate communication between them.

Fun cognitive activities include:

• Jigsaw puzzles
• Card games
• Crosswords
• Sudoku
• Chess
• Reading

Scheduling 1 day a week to volunteer for something that means something to you is a great goal to set yourself.

Seniors volunteering ideas:

• Charity shop
• Fundraising activities
• Places of worship
• Tutoring
• Library
• Animal fostering

Getting a good night’s sleep is incredibly important to your health and improves your quality of life.

Benefits include:

• Improved memory and attention span
• Reduction in negative feelings such as stress and anxiety
• Regulated appetite
• Strengthened immune system

There are numerous techniques that you can implement into your daily routine to promote a healthy regulated sleep cycle for yourself. Theses include:

• Avoid watching Tv or using a smart device before bed – artificial light can reduce your body’s production of melatonin (a sleep-inducing hormone). Try other forms of winding down before bed such as reading a book.
• Maintain a consistent bedtime and wake up time – Research has shown people who maintain a consistent sleep schedule perform better at cognitive tasks compared to people with an irregular sleep schedule.
• Avoid big meals before bed – A large meal can lead to indigestion and stomach discomfort; this can make it hard for you to fall asleep. Try to eat a few hours before bed or if you are hungry close to your bedtime opt for a light snack.

Being active greatly reduces your risk of many health conditions such as; heart disease, stroke, diabetes, bowel cancer and osteoarthritis. Set yourself a goal such as 1 extra walk a week or joining a weekly senior water aerobics class. Pets can help you become more active, specifically dogs. If you are able to care for a dog then rescuing a dog or fostering one will prompt you to go on daily walks.

Journaling can be extremely therapeutic. It gives you the opportunity to place all your thoughts and feelings on paper. This can help you understand your feelings better and get to the cause of them. Journaling can also help keep your memory sharp and gives you the opportunity to look back on your feelings and memories as time passes.

Why not pick a resolution from our list or as many as you’d like to focus on. Once you’ve successfully made one part of your daily, weekly or monthly routine, try another. To help you with staying on track with your goals this year download our free 2022 calendar.