Boredom can be disheartening at any age, but it carries specific risks for senior citizens. According to the International Centre on Aging, feeling bored and understimulated in later life can cause various physical and mental health problems, including decreased functional abilities and feelings of frustration. Fortunately, there are plenty of enjoyable ways that seniors can stave off boredom in an assisted living apartment or in the Arlington area near Bethesda Gardens.
Getting physically active is an excellent way to reduce boredom, and it could also help you build a vibrant social life with other like-minded seniors. However, the benefits don't end there. The American Academy of Family Physicians states that keeping active as a senior can reduce the risk of illnesses like heart disease, improve your mood and even protect against falls by building muscle strength and balance.
Members of the Bethesda Gardens assisted living community in Arlington can access specially designed exercise programs and enjoy a walk in the beautifully landscaped gardens. There are also plenty of beautiful open spaces for walking just a short distance from the community. The Richard Simpson Park is a quick drive away and offers stunning scenic views of Lake Arlington.
Genealogy is an absorbing and boredom-busting way to spend a rainy day. The whole family can get involved in researching your family history, and you never know what surprising facts you might uncover.
It's easy to get started with genealogy from the comfort of your assisted living suite. There are plenty of excellent online resources available containing a wealth of useful historical records, including the popular Ancestry database. You can also access free genealogy resources through the Arlington Public Library network, and there are plenty of high-quality sources available at the George W. Hawkes downtown branch.
Volunteering is a great way to support the important work of various charitable organizations, and it can reduce feelings of isolation through new social opportunities. The Arlington branch of the Salvation Army often needs volunteers to help with its community projects, which provide faith-based support to families and individuals in need across North Texas.
There are also plenty of ways to volunteer your time from your assisted living apartment. The internet makes it easy to find volunteering opportunities that you can participate in from your own couch. Points of Light is an online database that connects aspiring volunteers with suitable placements. There should be options to suit every schedule and skill set, from online tutoring and mentoring roles to transcribing and translating.
Socializing with others and making new friends is one of the best ways to beat boredom. Joining a club lets you form connections with people with similar interests. There are plenty of activities and social outings to join in at the Bethesda Gardens assisted living community, and you could even consider forming your own Bible study group or games club in the on-site activity center.
If you're looking for a way to socialize from your assisted living apartment or have a niche interest, Meetup is a fantastic resource for finding a group related to your hobby. This service lets you join established groups for online or in-person events or start your own club for others to join.
Crafting is an absorbing hobby that can help you beat boredom and create beautiful gifts and accessories for your assisted living apartment. You don't need to be a talented artist or spend a fortune to get started with crafting. Card making, decoupage and even paint-by-numbers are all inexpensive and straightforward hobbies that can produce stunning results.
There are plenty of free and high-quality resources available online to help you learn a new craft. YouTube hosts a multitude of talented content creators producing video tutorials for a wide range of crafts. Alternatively, Craftsy is an excellent resource for finding free craft classes, and you'll also find video cooking classes in its database.
Jigsaw puzzles aren't just for kids, but they're a great activity to enjoy with visiting grandchildren. Research shows that enjoying a jigsaw puzzle offers various benefits for adults, including improved cognition and memory. It requires significant concentration, especially if you're tackling a difficult picture, making it an ideal hobby for reducing boredom in the evening.
There are plenty of online stores selling adult-friendly puzzles. If you're ready for a challenge, you could show your pride in your local area by completing this gorgeous Arlington skyline puzzle from Zazzle. You'll even have delightful artwork to beautify your walls when you're finished.
A good book can transport you somewhere completely different and help alleviate boredom. It's also known that reading books can improve cognition in seniors and could even help delay the onset of dementia and Alzheimer's. Therefore, reading is an enjoyable and beneficial hobby that you can enjoy in your assisted living suite or outdoors in the Bethesda Gardens grounds.
Books can be expensive, but there are plenty of ways to access high-quality texts for free. Arlington libraries stock a wide range of books and run regular book clubs where you can discuss what you're reading and make new social contacts. Alternatively, the Open Library offers millions of ebooks to read online if you can't get to your local library branch.
