Maintaining a healthy lifestyle typically involves a balanced combination of consistent exercise, good nutrition, sufficient sleep, and social interaction. However, as autumn paints the leaves golden and brings about cooler temperatures, our favorite comfort foods, and more time spent indoors — it can be challenging to maintain these habits.
Joining a senior living community like Ingleside offers numerous advantages for achieving those year-round wellness goals. From fully equipped fitness centers to a multitude of dining options, residents benefit from easy access to a plethora of amenities, structured social activities, and a supportive environment, all of which contribute to a better quality of life.
Here are some tips on ways to have a healthy autumn despite the seasonal changes:
Combat Isolation with Indoor Social Activities
Fall and winter often equates to less time spent outdoors, which can lead to reduced sunlight exposure, lower vitamin D and serotonin levels, as well as isolation. Keeping your social circle circulating even as the temperatures drop is key. Across Ingleside’s communities, residents have daily opportunities to interact with peers and staff, whether through planned social activities such as book clubs, writing classes, or community events like musical performances at the Cultural Arts Center hosted by local groups such as Levine Music and the Washington Conservatory.
Other ways to maintain your social life is by investing in old or new hobbies that give you a sense of purpose and a chance to cultivate new relationships built on trust and shared experiences. “There is something for everyone here at Ingleside, especially for those with a passion for art,” said Mary Requa, an eight-year resident who spends her time painting with peers at Westminster at Lake Ridge.
Ingleside’s array of programs allows residents to nurture creativity while fostering connections through the following:
- Art classes
- Swimming and water aerobics
- Music therapy and chorus
- Creative writing and weekly speaker series
- Tai-Chi and more
Maintain Physical Health Through Fitness
Keeping up with an exercise routine and fitness goals during the fall and winter can be a challenge for many, especially when inclement weather makes it difficult to go for a daily walk or run outdoors. Fortunately, Ingleside communities are designed with a plethora of recreational fitness opportunities that can be enjoyed even while indoors. “We have an excellent fitness program here at Ingleside,” Lydia Hudsick, an Ingleside at King Farm resident shared. “I am able to partake in strength training classes on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, along with interval training programs every Tuesday and Thursday. It’s also convenient and easy for residents to attend.”
Prioritize Nutritious Dining
As individuals age, their nutritional needs change significantly due to various physiological shifts. While enjoying holiday desserts, seasonal lattes, and pumpkin pie occasionally is perfectly fine, it’s essential to prioritize nutrient-dense foods. A diet rich in fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats is crucial for maintaining energy levels and a robust immune system. In fact, the American Heart Association states that eating meals with less meat and more plant-based protein can lower the risk of many chronic illnesses, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, various cancers, obesity, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.
Whether ordering food from a local restaurant via a delivery service, or joining neighbors for a culinary dining experience within the walls of Ingleside at King Farm’s Courtyard Cafe or Le Bistro, this time of year offers a chance to reconsider your typical meal choices for more nutritional options that suit a more balanced, senior-friendly diet.
Get Enough Sleep
As the seasons change, you might find yourself feeling more tired in the evenings. To combat fatigue, aim for consistent sleep by going to bed and waking up at the same time each day, targeting seven to eight hours of sleep each night. Consider trying meditation techniques, such as mindfulness, before bed. This can help calm a racing mind, reduce anxiety, and improve the quality of your sleep.
Reduce Screen Time Before Bed
Experts recommend powering down all electronic devices, including phones, tablets, and TVs, 30–60 minutes before bedtime. This allows your brain to unwind, rather than being tempted by activities like browsing social media or binging your favorite shows.
Embrace Spiritual Practices and Mental Health
Spirituality manifests in countless forms, from prayer and worship to meditation or simply connecting with nature and appreciating the vibrant fall foliage. Ingleside’s communities promote mental and spiritual well-being through collaborative programs that cater to residents’ diverse faiths. Members can forge camaraderie with like-minded neighbors and peers, bonding through uplifting conversations, on-site worship services with dedicated chaplains onsite, and special events that honor various spiritual or religious preferences.
Ingleside communities are so dedicated to spiritual and mental health, they have begun a brand-new Clinical Pastoral Education program that delivers a rigorous, interfaith, graduate-level curriculum in health ministry.
For more information on Ingleside’s wellness initiatives and programming, visit https://inglesideonline.org/.