How seniors can rejuvenate in the spring!

This is a guest post written by: Natalie Lehr-Splawinski, Marketing Communications  Seniors Choice For Care Inc. Seniors Choice for Care works in my community and supports our seniors association in our work within the community.

Spring is the symbolism of renewal. It's the perfect time to plan a new beginning, establish new tasks & goals, accomplish things on our to do list, and create energizing new dreams. 

Many people feel inspired by the fresh scent of spring in the air, blooming colourful flowers, and people around us being in a good mood. Some of us might slow down to enjoy it while others seem to rush off to get various things done. Some feel more motivated than others to be or become more active & present no matter where  we are in our stage of life. Below are some helpful ideas how seniors can rejuvenate their mind & body to empower themselves & motivate others: 

Be or become active in your community’s Seniors Centre, if you are not already a member of your local seniors centre, explore the options of various physical, social and educational activities being offered such as craft-, musical-, dance & exercise classes: gardening, cooking & educational workshops, social engagements & much more.  Seniors who are and stay active remain usually  healthier & happier in the aging process and seem to stay longer independent as they promote their physical strength, while engaging their cognitive and social skills. Good mental health promotes physical health. If you are not sure which activities are most  suitable for you, consult with an activities coordinator at your seniors centre. Ensure to discuss with your family physician what physical activities might be most suitable & beneficial for your specific health status & concerns.

Practice positive thinking and mindfulness - be and live in the present!

Mindfulness helps us to reflect back and become more aware about our feelings, thoughts and surroundings and assists us in reducing anxiety, feeling of being overwhelmed, stressed, and or depressed. Research how to practise mindfulness if you are not familiar with it.

It's beneficial for improving the immune system, strengthening the heart and slowing down the cell ageing process and contributes to mental well-being and healthy aging!

Spend more time in nature!

Plan to enjoy more time outdoors. Depending on your mobility and physical ability, choose where and how you can best appreciate nature. Enjoy it by walking or sitting in a garden or by the sea, or by a lake. Choose places which help you reminisce happy memories from the past and encourage you to dream.

Maintain a healthy diet!

Explore and adapt the Mediterranean diet to benefit brain and heart health, if you are not yet familiar with it. 

Move regularly as much as you can

Exercise lightly with professional guidance if you have a health condition, illness or are less mobile. If you are struggling with mobility issues, consult a healthcare professional such as a Physiotherapist, Kinesiologist or a Chiropractor to help you with strengthening exercise, mobility and or chronic pain as well as injury recovery. Speak with your family Physician for guidance for your individual health and mobility needs.

Engage in reading and in a hobby

Expand your knowledge, thinking and horizon through reading. Choose what you like to explore and get to know more about. Keep active with an old or a new hobby. 

Dream big!

If you can travel to experience a different culture, meet new people  and explore what it has to offer. For seniors who are not able to do so, Arm Travel is a wonderful activity and offered by many seniors centres. It offers a social connection to other seniors who might have physical & mobility issues to travel in person. Whatever might inspire you to dream, go for it! Many seniors are active with visual & interpretative arts to express their style and ideas in a creative way.

Stay young at heart & spirit!

Be socially active with family & friends! For those who have no family, one more reason to connect to a seniors Centre. Friends will support you and offer help when needed and vice versa. Some seniors feel more lonely and isolated than others. Build new social connections and cultivate old ones to stay young at heart!

 Age is only a number. Engage with juniors and volunteer to help guide others!

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Barbieland vs. The Real World—Lessons for Barbie & Kens

My thanks to my friend Ken for this idea.  If you have not seen this movie, I highly recommend it. Our organization took a group of seniors to see it and the reviews were all very positive. It is not a children's movie, it resonates with adults or at least seniors.

This movie sends many messages, with stereotypical Barbie living a perfect life. However, she lacks an occupation, which leaves her feeling empty when she starts to malfunction. The movie offers lessons for both Barbies and Kens. Barbie realizes that being just an "idea" of a woman no longer fulfills her. Her path to joy involves embracing her humanity, including all its complexities, heartaches, and imperfections.

The Barbie movie unfolds in two worlds. One is Barbieland, a hyper-feminized doll land, while the other is the Real World, where men mostly hold power, and women struggle to be heard. Initially in Barbieland, Barbie and the other Barbies enjoy power and influence without facing the sexism, oppression, or insecurities that human women endure. Ken's role in Barbie Land is limited to following Barbie like a puppy, waiting for her attention without much significance.

The idyllic bubble of Barbieland bursts when Barbie experiences existential dread and insecurities, mirroring the thoughts of the human playing with her in the Real World. To address this, she and Ken venture into the Real World, where Barbie confronts the emotional weight of womanhood. She questions her worth, intelligence, capabilities, and beauty.

Meanwhile, Ken experiences male privilege for the first time, noticing how men in the Real World hold power, respect, and influence. He believes bringing these ideas back to Barbie Land is the key to his happiness. Ken transforms Barbie's Dreamhouse into a frat house, embracing hyper-masculine ideals.

Ultimately, the movie teaches valuable lessons. Barbie realizes that being an "idea" of a woman isn't fulfilling; true joy comes from embracing her humanity. Similarly, Ken learns that conforming to hyper-masculinity or being Barbie's sidekick won't bring happiness. He must discover his identity and desires on his own terms, symbolized hilariously by his wearing a tie-dyed hoodie with "I am Kenough" emblazoned on it.

Boomers talk to your children about ageism.

 A lot of my friends are boomers, and they have children who are in their forties. I thought about this and decided to see how we can identify the scope of ageism for our children. Ageism is a complex and pervasive issue that affects many seniors, often intersecting with other forms of discrimination such as sexism, racism, and ableism to compound its negative effects. The consequences of ageism can be severe, including poor health outcomes, reduced longevity, abuse and neglect, financial insecurity, stigma, loss of confidence and self-esteem, and intergenerational conflict.

For those in their forties, it's essential to recognize the role that ageism plays in our society and understand how it can impact the lives of seniors. By becoming aware of and challenging our own biases and stereotypes, we can help create a more inclusive and equitable society for people of all ages.

One way to start addressing ageism is by becoming more aware of the language we use when talking about aging and older adults. Using positive and respectful language can help challenge negative stereotypes and promote a more accurate and nuanced understanding of aging.

Another way to combat ageism is by advocating for policies and structures that support the rights and needs of older adults. This can include things like affordable housing, accessible transportation, and healthcare services that are tailored to the unique needs of seniors.

It's also essential to recognize and challenge the ways that ageism intersects with other forms of discrimination. For example, older women, people of color, and those with disabilities may face additional barriers and challenges due to the intersection of ageism with sexism, racism, and ableism.

Ultimately, addressing ageism requires a collective effort from people of all ages. By working together to challenge stereotypes, promote positive language and images, and advocate for policies and structures that support the rights and needs of older adults, we can help create a more inclusive and equitable society for everyone.

It's important to note that ageism is not only a problem for older adults, but it also affects younger people as well. Ageism can limit opportunities for younger generations, create intergenerational conflict, and limit the development of quality programs and policies that can help safeguard against future harm.

In conclusion, ageism is a complex and pervasive social issue that has serious consequences for seniors. By becoming aware of and challenging our own biases and stereotypes, advocating for policies and structures that support the rights and needs of older adults, and promoting positive language and images, we can help combat ageism and create a more inclusive and equitable society for people of all ages.

Choice is not an option

 Over time I have heard this over and over again. “Everything is a choice.” This is, of course, true on a very basic level. However, the next line is presented as a stark choice. For example, Do I choose to seek the positive or the negative?  The light or the dark?  To help myself or hinder myself? 

Embracing the idea that "everything is a choice" can lead to profound insights and transformations in our lives. When we acknowledge that we have the power to choose our perspectives, attitudes, and actions, it opens up a world of possibilities.

Choosing to focus on the positive rather than the negative can drastically alter your experiences. I think we’d take more risks as we wouldn’t be so afraid.    I think life would be so much more fun and lighter and delightful.  And I think we would explode in our ability to learn and grow.

Choosing to embrace the light over the dark signifies a preference for optimism, hope, and brightness in life. Opting to help oneself rather than hinder oneself can lead to personal empowerment and self-improvement. It involves taking responsibility for our actions and decisions, working towards goals, and seeking support and resources when needed.

What if we embraced that life and learning is a gift where you can teach me, and I can teach you and we can also learn from each other. I think learning would be so much more fun and creative. Holding a perspective on life and learning as gifts that involve mutual teaching and self-discovery is enriching. Viewing learning as a collaborative and creative process where everyone has something valuable to contribute can make it more enjoyable and meaningful. As you move through life with this attitude you can foster a culture of sharing knowledge, learning from diverse perspectives, and embracing curiosity and exploration.

By approaching life with a mindset focused on positivity, collaboration, and growth, you can indeed experience more fun, lightness, and delight. Fear diminishes as you become more open to taking risks and stepping out of your comfort zone. This openness and optimism can lead to exponential personal and collective growth so you can constantly learn, evolve, and inspire yourself and others along the way.