Four Things You Should Do If You’re Over 65Â
Did you set any New Year’s resolutions for 2017? Whether you did or didn’t, we have a few suggestions to give your year a boost!
Since our team at Senior Financial Group specializes in Medicare, health and life insurance, much of our focus remains on the senior population. By spending quality time with our clients and learning more about their lifestyles, we see great value in the following daily habits that can lead to happier lives!
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Start Volunteering
Considering we’re in the volunteer state, this is a no-brainer! We’re surrounded by ample opportunities to jump in and get involved. For those of you who have retired, you may find yourself with a few more hours of free time on your hands.
Your skills, experience, and passion would be much appreciated by many organizations in need of volunteers. The Knox County Community Action Committee – Office on Aging offers several programs to get involved with that are consistently growing. They will work with you to match your schedule and interests to a list of meaningful opportunities. We’ve listed a few of our favorites below:
- Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP)
- Senior Companion Program
- Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)Â
- Mobile Meals
We know this probably isn’t the first time you’ve heard this, but it cannot be overstated. Harvard Health Publications recommends committing at least 10 minutes of exercise to your daily routine. Aim for a good mix of aerobic and strength-building exercises each week.
Once you form the habit, begin building on those 10 minute workouts, adding a little more time each day. Exercise is paramount to your health, so prioritize wisely!
Choose one of the warmer days to take a few laps around the neighborhood with your dog, neighbor or a friend, or take a few laps around the mall to change up the scenery if it’s chilly outside. Try a water aerobics class at your favorite local gym or see what classes the local senior center offers. That brings us to our next suggestion…
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Visit a Local Senior Center
Our team at Senior Financial Group is fortunate to spend quality time at our local senior centers as often as possible. A couple options in the area are Strang Senior Center and the O’Connor Senior Center. Both of these centers offer a variety of exercise classes like ballroom dance, yoga and Tai Chi, educational opportunities such as Alzheimer’s learning series, computer or genealogy classes, and a full social calendar to meet and mingle with others in the community.
Spending time at a senior center can connect you to valuable resources you may not have otherwise known about, as well as link you to new friends.
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Eat Foods That Boost Your Mood
Volunteering, exercising daily, and visiting with others in the community are great ways to better your mood. Make sure your diet isn’t bringing you down! Several foods have the power to fluctuate your feelings, believe it or not.
Here is a short list of foods that can give your mood a boost:
- Goji berries
- quinoa
- dark chocolate
- turkey
- kale
- salmon
- avocado
- banana
- coffee
- tea
There are so many ways to positively impact your outlook on life. If you have any unique opportunities that seniors in our community can get involved in or activities to try out, please share it with us! Email info@sfgmedicare.com or comment on our Facebook page.