Seniors that Stay Active Stay Healthy!

Give The Gift Of Yourself

Ahh retirement, how sweet it is! The time has come when you are It’s a well deserved break from a lifetime of working hard, it offers the freedom and flexibility to pursue passions and hobbies, and so much more. Many Seniors find themselves missing out on regular connections and interactions with others, or they feel a strong need to give of themselves to benefit their community. For these and many other reasons, giving the gift of yourself can be a powerful way to improve the quality of your own life as well as those around you.

Why get involved in your community?

The answer to this question will be different for everyone. You may feel an obligation to stay involved in a community where you have lived for many years, or you may want to get involved as a way to make new friends and connections in a community where you have recently moved. Maybe your grandchildren attend a local school and you want to support their education, or perhaps your grandchildren live elsewhere and you want to help those children who do live in your community.

These are all great reasons for seniors to get involved, but for many people it’s more about finding a way to fill their time with meaningful activities. Let’s face it, after spending your entire life working it can feel odd or awkward to wake up each morning without someplace to go or something to do. Getting involved in your community can be a terrific way to keep your mind (and body) active so that your retirement takes on a stronger sense of purpose and meaning.

Many ways to make a difference

There are many, many ways as a senior to make a difference in your community just by giving a bit of your time. Just take a look at a small sampling of possibilities:

• Help children learn to read at a local school
• Volunteer as a classroom helper
• Walk dogs at the local humane society or animal shelter
• Volunteer as a docent or guide in a local museum
• Read to children in the local library
• Deliver meals to other seniors
• Teach a class on your favorite hobby
• Become a “big brother/sister” to a child in need
• Volunteer at your local hospital
• Volunteer through your church, synagogue, or other place of worship
• Help maintain the gardens in a local park
• Plant flower boxes for a nearby community center
• Play the piano or sing songs at a local nursing home
• Volunteer as a crossing guard at a local school
• Help at the local blood bank

Can you see the potential for literally hundreds of ways to get involved and give of yourself to make a difference? It really doesn’t matter where, when, or how you give of yourself, all that’s necessary is that you do something you enjoy and that enhances the quality of your life.

Sometimes getting started doing these sorts of things is the hardest step, and that’s why most communities have some sort of volunteer coordination service where you can contact them to learn about opportunities where you can make a difference. Another great way to get started is to pay attention in the places where you already spend your time and look for opportunities where you could participate or help. For instance, if you go on a daily walk keep your eyes open for public areas where you could paint benches, pull weeds, or otherwise help with upkeep. Or, if you live in an area where there are families with children make a point of getting to know some of your neighbors and organize a block party or picnic. Use your imagination and creativity to find opportunities in a wide variety of places!

Stay active, stay healthy

As a Senior, giving your time and energy to benefit your community not only feels good, it can also help you stay more active and healthy during your senior and retired years. It gives you a sense of meaning and a sense of value each day. It also provides you with a reason to get out of the house and stay connected with the world around you. And even more importantly, it is a way to give of yourself to benefit yourself, others, and your community. Whether you spend an hour a month or twenty hours a week, it doesn’t really matter – just get out there and give the gift of yourself.