{"id":695,"date":"2017-05-03T14:04:25","date_gmt":"2017-05-03T14:04:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.firstlighthomecare.com\/home-healthcare-charlotte\/?p=695"},"modified":"2025-02-25T17:24:26","modified_gmt":"2025-02-25T17:24:26","slug":"enjoy-fresh-air-sunlight-12-springtime-activities-older-adults","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.firstlighthomecare.com\/home-healthcare-charlotte\/2017\/05\/03\/enjoy-fresh-air-sunlight-12-springtime-activities-older-adults\/","title":{"rendered":"Enjoy the Fresh Air & Sunlight: 12 Springtime Activities for Older Adults"},"content":{"rendered":"
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After months of colder weather and gray skies in many parts of the country, springtime is a welcomed season. It can be especially refreshing for older adults who have spent the winter cooped-up indoors. Fresh air, warmth and sunshine can play an important role in renewing the spirit and enhancing quality of life.<\/p>\n

The Benefits of Fresh Air and Sunshine
\n<\/strong>Exposure to sunlight and fresh air offers many health benefits \u2013 greater energy, reduced stress and improved sleep, to name a few. Fresh<\/strong> air<\/strong> cleans the lungs and helps bring more oxygen to the cells. This increased oxygen in the body translates to greater energy and mental clarity.<\/p>\n

Spending time in the sun can give a boost of vitamin D through skin absorption \u2013 necessary for the brain, bones and muscle function. Sleep schedules can be better regulated by getting some sunlight each morning, which helps the body shut off the snooze-inducing chemical melatonin. And sunlight is thought to help ward off depression, because the \u201chappy\u201d chemical serotonin is higher in the brain during the time of year when days are longer.<\/p>\n

\"\"12 Ways to Take Advantage of the Season
\n<\/strong>To help older adults welcome spring, we\u2019ve compiled a dozen ideas for outdoor activities that can help rejuvenate mind, body and soul.<\/p>\n

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  1. <\/strong>Take a walk.<\/strong> Studies have shown that even 10 minutes of walking each day can help older adults maintain strength and agility. Many local parks and nature trails have options for people with varying levels of mobility. \u00a0 Freedom Park, McAlpine Greeway, and Little Creek Greenway are some of our favorites. Or a simple stroll around the neighborhood to take in the scenery can be just the right change of pace.<\/li>\n
  2. <\/strong>Visit a farmers market.<\/strong> There\u2019s so much to see and sample at a farmer\u2019s market, and the vibrant colors of the produce and smell of fresh flowers are appealing to the senses. Plus, you can take home some fresh veggies for a healthy meal. \u00a0The one in Matthews, the HUGE one by the airport, and the one on King’s Drive are some of our favorites!<\/li>\n
  3. <\/strong>Partake in spring cleaning.<\/strong> A little spring cleaning can create a healthy and comfortable living environment. Open the windows and let the fresh air in! It\u2019s also a perfect opportunity to go through keepsakes and\u00a0revisit special memories.<\/li>\n
  4. <\/strong>Go fishing.<\/strong> Dust off your rod and reel and head to your favorite fishing spot. Whether you fish for pure enjoyment and simply \u201ccatch-and-release,\u201d or try to reel in some keepers for dinner, fishing is an enjoyable, relaxing pastime.<\/li>\n
  5. <\/strong>Visit tourist attractions. <\/strong>Be a tourist in your own town! Spring offers the perfect weather for traveling to local landmarks, historical sites and museums. The Mint Museum, The Latta Plantation are great places to visit. Check with your local visitor center to see what\u2019s happening in your town, and be sure to take advantage of senior discounts.<\/li>\n
  6. <\/strong>Go on a picnic.<\/strong> A little creativity can turn even the most routine activities into adventures. Try turning your next meal into a picnic. Grab a blanket and head to your favorite park, such as Freedom Park, Romare Bearden Park or Squirrel Lake Park. Bring a book to read or, better yet, bring a friend and share a meal together in the fresh air.<\/li>\n
  7. <\/strong>Eat outdoors at your favorite restaurant.<\/strong> If a picnic in the park doesn\u2019t appeal to you, how about dinner at a nice restaurant that offers outdoor seating? You\u2019ll get all the perks of dining al fresco, with none of the cooking or cleanup. Add good company, delicious food and ambiance, and you\u2019ve got the recipe for a lovely night out.<\/li>\n
  8. <\/strong>Install a bird feeder.<\/strong> Once the birds start chirping, you know spring has arrived. An abundant food source will help attract these feathered friends to your yard. Buy a bird feeder and install it near a window.<\/li>\n
  9. <\/strong>Plant a garden:<\/strong> If you like to get your hands dirty, consider planting a garden. Spring is the right time to start cultivating the earth for herbs, vegetables and flowers. Aside from being able to reap what you sow, gardening is a great form of exercise and can reduce stress.<\/li>\n
  10. <\/strong>Feel like a kid again: <\/strong>Head outside and do the activities you used to love as a kid! Fly a kite, search for four-leaf clovers or blow bubbles. These are great activities to do with your grandchildren, so invite them over for a playdate and some fun in the sun!\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n
  11. <\/strong>Enjoy a sporting event. <\/strong>Whether it\u2019s catching the Charlotte Knights at their beautiful uptown ballpark or a grandchild\u2019s soccer match, a sporting event can energize anyone. Attending a game also means time to socialize, which is great for older adults whose social calendars have been limited by ice and snow.<\/li>\n
  12. <\/strong>Get some exercise.<\/strong> Staying physically active can boost your energy levels, help you maintain your independence and even combat symptoms of illnesses. Exercise doesn\u2019t have to be strenuous; low-impact activities like walking, yoga, swimming and water aerobics can help with flexibility, balance and strength. The National Institute on Aging offers a guide<\/a> that can help you get started. \u00a0We have wonderful YMCAs and other facilities in the area, like the JCC, that have excellent programs for seniors.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Enjoy the season with FirstLight.
    \n<\/strong>FirstLight caregivers can help older adults enjoy the season outdoors \u2013 perhaps a walk in the park, a picnic lunch or help with gardening. In fact, through our     ClientFirst<\/a> matching system, FirstLight Home Care helps match specific caregivers to clients\u2019 interests, habits and routines. Call us at 704-879-2394. \u00a0\u00a0For more ideas and tips, follow us on Facebook<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n

     <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    After months of colder weather and gray skies in many parts of the country, springtime is a welcomed season. It can be especially refreshing for older adults who have spent the winter cooped-up indoors. Fresh air, warmth and sunshine can play an important role in renewing the spirit and enhancing…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":41,"featured_media":2159,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-695","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.firstlighthomecare.com\/home-healthcare-charlotte\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/695","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.firstlighthomecare.com\/home-healthcare-charlotte\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.firstlighthomecare.com\/home-healthcare-charlotte\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.firstlighthomecare.com\/home-healthcare-charlotte\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/41"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.firstlighthomecare.com\/home-healthcare-charlotte\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=695"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.firstlighthomecare.com\/home-healthcare-charlotte\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/695\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.firstlighthomecare.com\/home-healthcare-charlotte\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2159"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.firstlighthomecare.com\/home-healthcare-charlotte\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=695"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.firstlighthomecare.com\/home-healthcare-charlotte\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=695"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.firstlighthomecare.com\/home-healthcare-charlotte\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=695"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}