In this time of uncertainty, it’s important to take care of your mind, body and spirit, and stay connected to others – even if it’s just a virtual connection. The SHAG Community Life Foundation compiled this list of activities and resources to help you through this time. We hope you find it helpful and inspiring!
Self-Care:
- Gather some wildflowers and arrange them creatively between two sheets of wax paper. Place a heavy book on top to weigh the flowers down and let it sit overnight. Once the flowers are totally flat, you can use them to decorate greeting cards, bookmarks, coasters, photo frames, and more!
- Our current environment is no laughing matter. Small acts of change can lead to a big difference. On Earth Day, consider walking or riding a bike instead of driving, turn off the TV for the day, stop or cut down on the use of plastic straws or invest in a reusable grocery bag if you don’t have one.
- April showers bring May flowers, right? An old colander serves as the perfect planter for flowers. Just repaint the colander for a fresh look, place some dirt inside and your favorite flower and voila! Instant cheer.
- Protect your mental health by limiting social media use. Mute the word “coronavirus” for a while if you need to. Stay informed, instead check official sources like the World Health Organization at WHO.int or CDC.gov twice a day, maximum.
- Fill your environment with healthy things to do – good books, interesting podcasts, a yoga mat. These things will stimulate your mind and help stifle the urge to check notifications or the news.
- It doesn’t matter if it’s good or not, but creating, whether it’s a painting, making a pie or writing a short story can help you and others find order and make sense of a confusing world.
- Some tips for staying healthy! YouTube offers numerous exercise videos for seniors, which include chair exercise, balance exercises, Yoga and Tai Chai. Go to Youtube.com and search “senior exercise” and you will find numerous exercise videos down the right side of the screen.
- Why not try meditation? Meditation is the practice of focusing and bringing your mind to the present moment. Regular meditation practice gives us the tools we need to be less stressed, calmer, and kinder to ourselves and others. Find out more information on meditation, and how to get started at https://nyti.ms/2QvoIJx.
- In troublesome times, it is often helpful to focus on what is going right, and what you are grateful for in the present. A gratitude journal is a wonderful way to ease anxiety and think about the support and resources that are already in your life. You can write as much or as little as you’d like. Taking 15 minutes a night to jot down 5-10 things you are grateful for can have a significant impact on your mental health.
- Take a walk! This is great for mind and body.
Tele-connectivity:
- Covia “Well Connected” is a FREE online learning program that hosts a variety of group chats, workshops, and travelogues. Learn more at www.covia.org/services/well-connected/.
- Eldergym: Eldergym.com offers in-depth health information and, for a fee, you can access exercise videos specifically geared to the needs of seniors.
- Take a virtual tour of a museum, listen to a concert, and immerse yourself in a variety of virtual culture. Find out more information at https://cnn.it/2Umw9UQ.
- Virtual happy hour! Schedule a happy hour time with your friends where you all make your drink of choice and connect via phone or FaceTime.
Tech-free:
- Organize your home! Tackle that pile of paper, write letters, work on a puzzle, watch a movie or be creative and choose a themed movie marathon.
- Check with your Community Manager first but decorating your window with artwork and positive phrases will help spread cheer.
Resources
- Stay connected and get in the know! Email Elizabeth Sage at Elizabeth.sage@shag.org to be added to the email newsletter to get great ideas on things to do around the region. Also email us and let us know if you have any resources or ideas to share with others.
- The “Warm Line” offered through Crisis Connections provides an avenue of support and space for individuals to call in to talk about any feelings of anxiety, depression or loneliness. Learn more at www.crisisconnections.org/wa-warm-line or call 877.500.9276 (1.877.500.WARM).
- In this day and age where there is so much information that is changing quickly, it is important to stay informed, but also to keep your cool. For great resources about the signs and signals of a stress reaction, and what you can do to get help, visit https://bit.ly/3a3CafA or https://foh.psc.gov/NYCU/StressReaction.asp.