Autumn Activities for Senior Wellness

The arrival of football season, cooler temperatures and fall foliage all mark the beginning of autumn. But, right around the corner comes the holiday season. Now's the time to focus on your senior wellness as you prepare for the months ahead. Fortunately, the cooler autumn weather gives you the opportunity to step away from the air conditioning in Independent Living, at least for a few hours, and enjoy a variety of indoor and outdoor activities in comfort.

Below is a look at a few activities you can do this autumn to promote your physical and mental well-being.

Express Gratitude

With a new season comes a renewed opportunity to build a new mindset. Throughout the year, it's all too easy to forget the many things you have to be thankful for, but autumn is the perfect time to remember. Best of all, taking the time to be grateful can help improve your physical and mental health by reducing stress, building relationships, improving your mood and boosting your self-esteem. Some ways you can express gratitude this autumn include:

• Volunteering: A great way to show your gratitude is through volunteering. We have numerous volunteering opportunities right here at Royal Oaks, such as volunteering at the library, building wooden toys for kids or providing front desk support. Alternatively, you can volunteer at any of the local hospitals, community centers, food banks or other nonprofit organizations.
• Sending cards: Letting others know how much you appreciate them can bring happiness to you and the other party. Consider writing appreciation cards to let others know how you feel about them. You can even get a jump start on your Christmas cards by writing a little note of gratitude inside each card.
• Starting a gratitude journal: Showing gratitude isn't a one-day effort. Instead, take some time every day to be grateful for your blessings. You can track these feelings of gratitude by keeping a journal. Every day you can pull out your journal and jot down a few things you're grateful for that day.‍
• Take a gratitude walk: You’ll find plenty of things to be grateful for in the great outdoors. You don’t have to go anywhere special. Just a short walk through the grounds at Royal Oaks will show you plenty of things to be grateful for, such as the birds singing, the breeze blowing and the water flowing.

Paint Pumpkins for Fall Fun

With summer vacations over and schedules returning to normal, autumn can be the ideal time to bring your loved ones together for sun, food and laughter. For example, consider hosting or going to a pumpkin painting party.

Fortunately, pumpkins are readily available during the fall months, so ask everyone to pick one up on their way to the party. Then, all you need is some paint, paintbrushes and a little creativity. You can even hold some friendly competitions to see who can create the funniest, scariest, most detailed or best pumpkin-in-disguise.

Be sure to have your camera on hand, so you can take pictures — you’re sure to create plenty of memories to look back on and laugh.

Take a Day Trip to Experience Fall Foliage

One of the best things about autumn is the beautiful changes in nature. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit some of the area’s best fall foliage. While not all trees in the Sun City area change colors, several plant varieties do. You may be able to spot some of these plants by taking a nature walk.

If you don’t mind taking a little drive, you can enjoy a better view of Arizona’s fall foliage. For example, Boyce Thompson Arboretum in nearby Superior is a great spot for viewing fall foliage. Other spots include Oak Creek Canyon, just 2 hours north, or the Ramsey Canyon Preserve, located about 3 hours away.

Leaves start to change color by mid-September, but for the best views, you might want to wait until later in the year, such as late October or November. In some spots, fall foliage can even be seen throughout the month of December. You’ll want to take a light jacket, good walking shoes and, of course, your camera.

Revel in the Autumn Beauty at Royal Oaks

Bring some peace and tranquility to your mind and body by taking part in one or more of the above activities. Contact Royal Oaks today at (523) 208-6621 to learn more about our Independent Living services and everything our community has to offer.