How Seniors Can Beat the Winter Blues

Winter is a beautiful time of year. However, the colder weather makes it more difficult for seniors to get out and socialize.

Short, gray days can lead to a dull and tired feeling in many people. Seniors may miss loved ones after the holiday season, especially if they live alone or are homebound.

Some may experience seasonal affective disorder, also known as seasonal depression, which can cause loss of appetite, loss of interest in activities, troubled sleep patterns, and general sluggishness. Seasonal depression most commonly starts in the beginning of winter and lasts until spring.

There are many things seniors can do to help stave off the winter blues this year. The experts at Wesley Enhanced Living have seven tips for seniors to avoid the sluggish feelings that come during winter.

• Add More Light: Combat the gray days by turning on more lights and opening blinds and curtains on sunny days. Any natural light you let in helps with Vitamin D levels and can work to improve your mood.
• Keep Up on Your Daily Schedule: Instead of giving in to the desire to hibernate, stick to your daily routines and attend social events that are safe and easily accessible.
• Go Outside on Nice Days: There is no better way to get Vitamin D than through a stroll outside on a sunny day. The fresh air will do the body and mind a world of good. Remember to bundle up and wear non-skid shoes.
• Make Your Diet a Priority: Healthy eating helps your body’s immune system, provides energy, and boosts your mood. A good combination of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates is effortless when you have someone else do the cooking in an independent living community.
• Stay Physically Active: Exercise is another way to increase your energy levels and lighten your mood. The correct exercises even aid with your balance, helping reduce the risk of falls.
• Get Plenty of Sleep: Your body restores itself during sleep so that you can have the needed energy during the day. Establish a regular bedtime routine and try to avoid naps during the day.
• Build Up Your Social Life: Talking with others has a way of livening your spirits. Consider joining in on social activities at your retirement community or volunteering your time. You have much to offer, and the rewards are much more than you can imagine.

Continuing care retirement communities, such as Wesley Enhanced Living, provide opportunities for seniors to exercise, socialize, and receive well-balanced and nutritious meals. Senior living staff is committed to help residents overcome the seasonal blues during this time of year.

The non-profit Wesley Enhanced Living (WEL) continuing care retirement communities have a dedicated mission to deliver a purpose-filled life to residents. Serving over 1,100 residents with more than 1,200 employees throughout Pennsylvania, the Wesley Enhanced Living communities located in Bucks, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties provide various combinations of independent living, personal care, memory care, and rehabilitation and skilled nursing services. Wesley Enhanced Living has been named a Great Place to Work® in 2021, 2020, 2019 and 2018.