This is how I keep myself happy and healthy

Winter is coming, so now is the time to do some stuff, have new experiences and indulge in adventures before the blankets, the insides and the fog comes to overwhelm us senior citizens – and all others. The next few months are perfect for exploring new activities, staying active, and enjoying life to the fullest. This is what I have planned for myself, you could too:

1. Walk Into My Park

Believe me, I have made the best of friends in this phase of life, as a walker. In the park near your house, there are many our age who are looking out to talk and walk with you. Come September, when the weather becomes no-too-hot-not-too-cold, the mornings and evenings are to be spent in a park. Besides, walking being the best low-impact exercise for people our age, there’s a lot more happening there: Laughing groups, yoga groups or just plain and simple chatter group – they are all there waiting for you to join in. Enjoy the beauty of Nature, explore new trails, and stay healthy while making new friends.

2. Nurture Naturally

With a lot of time at my hands, I discovered twiddling my thumbs was pulling me down. So, I have embarked on a new project: Gardening. Just order the basics on Amazon, and you are good to go. Gardening gave me a lot of therapy, put my mind to rest and made me wonder why I did not discover this great way to spend time outdoors or even indoors earlier. Whether you have a large garden or just a few pots on a balcony, planting flowers, vegetables, or herbs is engaging. It’s like getting back into the zone where you were nurturing your children in their growing up years. Plus, with herbs and stuff, grown by you, you get to enjoy the fruits of your organic labour too!

3. Voluntarily Yours

My RWA has a lot of jobs at hand, and I have now got into the mode of giving back to the community that lives all around me. Believe me, this has been incredibly fulfilling. Whether it’s helping out the RWA set up a centre for tackling its senior citizen issues, setting up tutoring classes for children, or participating in environmental activities like being part of a rainwater harvesting committee for the colony, volunteering has offered me a sense of purpose and connection. Also, it has made my colony a better place for senior citizens engagements. You could initiate something similar.

4. Vintage Chapter

Book reading is having a convulsion in the modern world, despite being the man’s best knowledge partner all through our growing up years. I love reading, so I met up with some friends and set up a books club. You know what? It’s become a great way to dive into the mission of reading new genres, engaging in stimulating discussions, and meeting fellow book lovers. On the side, I hold reading classes for children in my colony park and help them get into the pages. The books have been donated by a lot many friends, family members and neighbours.

5. Be fit As a Fiddle

Staying active is crucial for overall health and well-being. To do all of the above, I have invested a lot of time in keeping fit, as in as fit as I can get on with age. Fortunately, for me, I had a fellow senior citizen, all of 80 if you please and an ex-Armyman, who runs a fitness centre for seniors only. Find something similar or join online. Fitness classes designed for seniors, such as water aerobics, gentle yoga, or chair exercises, has helped me maintain mobility, strength, and balance. Time to scout for something similar this season.

6. High on trip

Whether it’s a short-day trip to a nearby place, or a longer vacation, travelling is wonderful. A lot of travel agencies nowadays work on curating elder group tours keeping all health and other concerns in mind. August-November is the coolest time to explore new places. Look for travel groups that cater to seniors at affordable cost, offering organised and accessible trips with opportunities to socialise and see new sights. Or just tie up with your morning walkers’ group and plan a trip to the nearest mall for a coffee break, a nearby jungle walk or even a flight to the beach.

So, people! Here we are and happy to be. My fixes are all of the above, what are yours? Will love to expand my horizon. Do write back. Best for now and always, till I come up with my next connect with you.

(The column Savvy Sage appears every Tuesday.)

Read also:
Secrets of healthy ageing: 10 fun activities to stay active
Ageing can indeed be like fine wine