Senior Living: 5 Personal Habits of the Most Active Seniors

Whether you’re looking to maintain your active lifestyle or implement healthier habits, there are many things you can do to ensure a happy and healthy retirement. For some seniors, having so much free time can be difficult to adjust to, but filling your days with enjoyable activities doesn’t have to be a challenge. As with most things in life, it all starts with good habits.

 

Garden of Palms, an active senior living community in Los Angeles, is intimately familiar with the personal habits of the most active seniors. That’s why they’re dedicated to creating an environment that supports healthy habits for the mind, body, and spirit.  

 

Here are 5 habits that the most active seniors have in common.

 

They’re Engaged with Life

Being unafraid to try new experiences will keep things interesting and help you stay active. Los Angeles offers a feast for the eyes and ears with live music, art galleries, ethnic festivals, and museums. There’s also plenty of outdoor activities for all skill levels. From ziplining and paragliding, to surfing and hiking, active seniors never run out of things to do. Aim for a fearless attitude, like that of Frances Woofenden, who went from being a “typical grandmother” to an octogenarian water skiing champion.

 

They’re Generous

Giving back to the community can be immensely rewarding and contributes to good health and a positive senior living experience. It’s a great way to connect with others, be active, and feel productive. As a large city, Los Angeles has many social groups that unite people around volunteering, such as “People Helping the Community”.

 

They Take Care of Their Health

Prevention is the best way to ensure good health, and that’s true for all ages. The most active seniors keep on top of their health with regular doctor visits, a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables, and getting enough sleep every night. Don’t forget about nurturing the mind; puzzles, reading, and spirituality all work to support good mental health.

 

They’re Persistent

The most active seniors exercise every day, or nearly every day. They prioritize staying active, no matter how they’re feeling. For inspiration, look to Ernestine Shepherd, who was declared the oldest female bodybuilder in the world in 2010. She transformed her life in middle age; she now gets up at 3am every morning to work out.

 

They Have a Positive Mindset

Research on active seniors has established that self-acceptance and a positive attitude are among the most important attributes for staying healthy during retirement. The sunny, beautiful weather that Los Angeles offers year-round certainly encourages a positive mindset, as does spending time with friends and family.

 

Closing Thoughts

There are plenty of active seniors out there proving that retirement is an opportunity to live life on your own terms. Many active seniors refer to their “no excuses” mindset as being critical to their health and happiness. Remember, it’s never too late to make changes, and there are ways to stay active despite limitations.

No matter how you go about it, it’s clear that having the best senior living experience involves being active every day. By offering so many cultural, entertainment, and exercise opportunities, Los Angeles provides a number of ways to help you achieve that goal.

Garden of Palms recognizes the importance of good habits in retirement, and that’s why they offer a wide variety of programs and activities that help seniors lead happy, healthy lives. Please contact us for more information or to tour our senior living community in Los Angeles.