As old age approaches, people tend to experience symptoms of reduced mobility. Even if it is not a direct result of an injury or other health condition, age alone means that individuals will not be able to do the things that were trivial to them previously. Bending from the waist, walking, manual dexterity, and balance are all things that will wane with age. 

If you are caring for such a person, you will wonder what activities are suitable for seniors in this position. As it turns out, you don’t need to worry too much because there are plenty of activities you can help them engage in: 

• Arts and crafts – creative thinking is required to keep one’s mind sharp, even for seniors. Many experiences mental fatigue symptoms, especially if they develop certain conditions, like dementia. Arts and crafts can be a perfect activity for them, as it provides a mental stimulus. On top of that, it also keeps the hands busy and exercises their hand muscles. You can help the senior engage in various activities – knitting, drawing, making quilts, origami, etc. Such activities are enjoyable and refreshing for seniors, and you will love them too. 
  
  
• Chair yoga – among the many benefits of yoga is improving overall health and mental wellbeing. It improves flexibility and strength, allowing people to concentrate better. In seniors, it can also benefit from reduced joint pain, which is a struggle many of them have. A senior can do some very simple positions while sitting in a chair – raised hands, candle pose, seated spinal twist, etc. It is essential to show them and engage with them during the activity. 
  
  
• Exercise – Physical exercise is not necessarily related to going to the gym or any other place outdoors. Even seniors with limited mobility can and should engage in physical activity indoors, as long as it is well-suited to their ability. Even slight leg and arm movements can be very beneficial for maintaining mobility in those areas. Some chair exercises can further boost agility and strength. 
  
  
• Indoor games – just because the senior cannot go outdoors doesn’t mean there is nothing fun to do indoors. Charades, Bingo, card games and board games are great examples of fun games to incorporate into their daily routine. Such games are not only a fun way to pass the time, but they can be very mentally stimulating without being too demanding. Besides, it is a great way to spend time with your loved ones. 
  
  
• Reading – one of the best activities for seniors with limited mobility but unhindered eyesight is reading. Not only does it reduce stress and keep the brain engaged, but it can also help with concentration and memory. There are also ways to engage a senior without them reading directly, such as audiobooks. 
  
  
• In-house gardening – this sort of activity can have a natural positive effect on seniors, even if it means you must do some of the work yourself. You can still engage them by asking them what indoor plants they would love, allowing them to choose the pots. If the plants are close, they can be responsible for watering them and ensuring they are well-tended. 
  
  

There are plenty of activities that you can engage with a senior indoors, even if they have difficulties moving about. It is all about being creative and choosing something that they will love. 

© Home Care Preferred Devon

Anxiety and depression are common mental health issues today. Tough as they are, we found that practising these mindfulness activities for anxiety is grossly effective in making you feel better.

Are you struggling with anxiety? Stress? Perhaps depression? You are not alone. These are common mental health issues affecting millions of people around the world. Like sadness, these negative feelings feel like a black hole drowning you each time it strikes. The more you let them stay, the deeper you drown in the black hole, affecting everything in your life; from work to school, relationships and evenself-care.

While some people now turn to antidepressants, we found that practising these Five Mindfulness Activities For Anxiety and Stress goes a long way to help you gain back control of your mind and body. Of course, we will leave you with a bonus at the end of the article. So, stay glued.

Focus on breathing

The first arrow in your quiver is your breath. Once you can steady your breath, you already detox that negative energy, giving you back control. There are several ways to perform deep breathing exercises. You can stand still with your hands wide open, sit down with your legs folded in, or lie on your back and face the sky/ceiling. Whichever position you choose, be sure you are focusing on your breathing the whole time. No distractions. Simply follow every breath. Be conscious of how you breathe in and how you breathe out. Make it into a game. Take a deep breath in, hold for a few seconds, exhale deeply, and repeat the cycle.

In your mind, visualize everything standing still. Think of it like you are a superhero and you just froze time. This reduces the number of thoughts your brain is processing and helps your heartbeat settle into a normal rhythm.

Just listen

Another great mindfulness activity for anxiety is mindful listening. Unlike regular listening where you are singing along, dancing along, or even half-listening, this exercise helps you to focus on the present through sound. You can pick from any genre that works for you but make sure it is not the artist or lyrics that you are after. You just need sound to drown out the thought and the rest of the world. There are tons of relaxation songs to choose from if you like. Once you get the song. You can put it on repeat and assume a meditating position as you drown out the rest of the world. Just follow the sound.

Connect to your body

Gaining control over your body and mind requires you to connect to your body. This mindfulness exercise is typically practised laying on your back. With your hands and legs spread out and your face facing the sky or ceiling, try connecting with each part of your body, starting from your toe. Take one part at a time and spend time observing what is happening on that particular part of the body without looking at it. Use your mind to feel the part and digest what’s happening at the moment before moving to the next body part. Continue until you get to the head.

Try naming things around you

Connecting with your environment is another way to feel grounded and in control. As the worries spiral out of control, look around you and ‘mindfully’ observe items around you. It could be the lawn outside of the mug or a photo. Just look around and observe each time. Focus on one item at a time.

Walking exercise

Walking is one of the most effective mindfulness activities for anxiety and stress. Simply moving around, as observed while exercising, releases a shot of the ‘happy hormone’, helping you feel way better than you did lock in a room. As you walk, remember this is not for weight loss. Take it slowly and focus on just walking.

Bonus tip

Deep appreciation

Lastly, you will gain a lot from appreciating little things in your life. Take a deep breath and think of all the little things you are grateful for. It helps to get a journal and write them down, focusing on one thing at a time. Enjoy the moment.

Anxiety, stress, and depression are hard targets to fight. But we are positive you can win this fight with these 6 arrows in your quiver. Whenever you find your thoughts spiralling out of control, be sure to fight back with one or more mindfulness activities for anxiety.

©Healthy Life Side

With the season right around the corner, there is so much preparation to do. Friends and family are at the peak of love and charity, and it can be easy to forget to plan a fun-filled day for yourself and them as well.

Hello and welcome to EcoBravo, we are a site dedicated to encouraging people to live better eco-friendly lives. In this post, we shall be exploring ten eco-friendly holiday activities to do this Christmas for one or multiple people. 

Christmas is about love, and why not extend that love to the planet that has so loved us. Take the time and energy to explore this list of activities and maybe add them to your holiday activity list.

Treasure hunting

Treasure hunting is a fun and exhilarating event to have for both adults and kids. Set up a few hidden items around the house and have your loved ones scour around looking for them. Make things fun, set a timer, and see who can find the items the fastest. Take advantage of the outdoor space and some of nature's hidden objects.

Seed collecting

Seed collecting is yet another fun activity that can be encouraged. Set up a long list of seeds found within your locality and spend the holiday searching each shop or farmers market for them. Get crazy and look for seeds of plants beyond your vicinity. Keep track and see how much you can cover.

Seed planting

Planting seeds is a lovely way to spend your holiday. Apart from thanking the earth, you also get the chance to reap the fruit of your planting in the long run. While doing this, you can also set up your mini garden or use lots of potted plants.

Building a birdhouse

Why not extend the Christmas love to the birds of the air. Commit a few hours or days to build a delightful birdhouse, depending on your schedule. Go crazy with your designs but remember to use only sustainable products like wood. As a bonus tip, consider making a squirrel house to entertain your furry friends.

Bake or cook-offs

Nothing says Christmas like freshly baked or cooked meals. Call neighbours, friends, and family and have them bake or cook to determine whose recipe should be crowned. Make it fun, limit the ingredients to only healthy options, and see what creativity can be made.

Making candles

Candle making is a fun idea to do alone, with company, or with kids. Several DIY options are available on the internet, and you can even explore several local recipes. Go further and make coloured or even scented candles. But be sure to use eco-friendly products like beeswax for the base, essential oil for the scent, cocoa, turmeric, etc., for the colour.

Decluttering

Decluttering can also be an activity for a holiday. Take time to box up items you no longer need or can wear. But rather than storing them, why not give them out and share a little Christmas love. Search for charities and stores that take used items and make somebody's day.

Book shopping

Yes, you read right, not reading but shopping. Think about your favourite genre or consider a timeline and write out a list of books fitting that. If you are more into classical books, go ahead and spend your Christmas getting yourself a collection worth it. You can also go book shopping for your favourite authors. Go across your town and beyond and see how many books you can gather on your list.

Reading

Of course, reading cannot be exempted as a fun activity to do this Christmas. Challenge yourself to finish one a week or less. The more, the better.

Craft making

Yes, crafting is one activity we cannot forget. There are so many amazing ideas you can explore. This is possibly one of the best activities for kids. Be even more eco friendly and use items from your home. Reuse and recycle old items and make them into something new.

Puzzling

Puzzling is a popular Christmas event and will certainly be on this list. Get yourself several puzzles or a really big one. Spend the whole holiday slowly piecing them back in. Otherwise, have friends over and put them in couples or groups and see who can puzzle faster.

Outdoor experience

There’s nothing like a good old outdoor experience. Spend time in the backyard, go for a walk, try hiking. Just go outdoors and experience nature at its best this season. You may even consider having a picnic after.

Using a real tree

It's Christmas, and the season won't be complete without a tree. Rather than a plastic and unhealthy one, choose only a real tree for this season. Several communities have stores and markets where real trees can be bought. Go for that and let mother nature join in the Christmas fun.

Eco-friendly ornaments

With a Christmas tree come decorations. Rather than choose plastic made ornaments, consider those made of wood. Or go a step more creative and make eco-friendly ornaments. Use old fruit backs, and lemon or orange dried slices. There are several alternatives for anyone to choose from.

Choosing led Christmas lighting

Christmas lighting is unavoidable, so select only those made with led lights rather than go for the non-sustainable and certainly not eco-friendly choices in the stores. It saves the plant and helps cut down on light bills. A win-win.

There are many more options, but we are certain these will keep you busy throughout the holiday. Spend more time with friends, family, the kids, or just yourself with these activities. Thanks for reading. For more tips, please subscribe to our channel, like and share the content, and you will find other articles to help you be more eco-friendly. If you have a recommendation, need to enquire, or need advice, please contact us here at EcoBravo, and we will be happy to lend a listening ear.

© Eco Bravo

Amidst yet another surge in coronavirus cases, retail giant Amazon has temporarily shut down its warehouse in New Jersey.

Exercising not only ensures a fit and fine body but also a healthy lifestyle.