6 Tips On How To Stay Active While Getting Care At Home

Imagine your life has suddenly changed in all ways, shapes and forms. You are a senior who is facing all kinds of obstacles as you fight for a happy and fulfilling life while facing serious medical problems that either don't have a cure or will take a toll over a long stretch of time, be that in months or even in years. No doubt this is a hardship, but don't stop living. Even though this sounds like advice that seems to follow the proverbial better-said-than-done soundtrack, change that tune. Following are six tips on how to do so.

Keep Your Mind Active
Do whatever you can to exercise your mind. If you are able to do a crossword puzzle, do that. Do that every day. If reading a book is more your style, do that, and then keep at it by choosing another novel when you have finished the first. Do you prefer something more passive? Then binge watch an old television show or a new series on Netflix.

Keep On Exercising
Even if you can no longer take on a full blown exercise class, you can still exercise. Choose to follow along to YouTube videos that are made for people like you who are battling a challenging disease or a painful disorder. If physical therapy is available, accept that help. If a personal trainer can come by and work with you for a short while, take advantage. Everything in this arena assists healing in one way or another.

Learn Something
Taking up a new hobby that matches with your new way of life can be particularly rewarding. Find an interest in something fresh or pursue an old dream. If you've always enjoyed knitting but never had the chance to really make something intricate, do that now if your motor skills will allow. You'll soon see the fruits of your labor. If you have always wanted to learn how to paint but you are confined to bed, try tackling a small canvas and a simple subject before moving on to a more challenging one.

Engage With Others
Even though you may be limited in your abilities, you can still enjoy certain activities. For instance, make it a habit to play card games like Gin Rummy or War with your caregiver, or ask a friend to come over once a day to play, say, Scrabble or Monopoly. You'll be glad you did.

See What's Trending
It's always good for the brain as well as the soul to know what is going on in the world. Do this by reading a local paper on the internet or checking into what news is trending throughout the day. Tracking current events will keep you in the loop, a place you know you want to be.

Try New Things
Your daily life may seem monotonous as you tackle your health problem head on. Don't stand for that — mix things up. Ask your caretaker to buy a new food you haven't embraced before. Change your clothes more often, even if that means going from one set of pajamas to another. Experiment with make-up you never thought would look good on you. Get a haircut that is unlike any other you've ever experienced. All of these ideas will give you new perspective. We promise.
 

Freelance travel writer Jane Lasky, contributes to publications such as Travel + Leisure, Vogue and Esquire. Her weekly sojourning column ran in 40 newspapers for 20 years. Jane is anything but an accidental tourist and always travels with her pillow. Check out her articles on Examiner.com.