The 3 Best Fall Activities for You and Loved Ones
The fading of the Fall foliage and all its festivities are unlike any other season. While Summer might be gone, all the joyous wonders and beauties of the Fall season have just arrived! Despite the shorter days and cooler temperatures, there truly is nothing stopping you and your loved ones from enjoying all that Fall has to offer.
In celebration of the new season, we’ve rounded up our 3 favourite Fall season activities for you to enjoy with your loved ones! These activities will not only provide means of creating new memories and endless laughs, but increase the physical well-being and mental health of those dearest to you.
Enjoy the Fresh Autumn Air and Scenery
There truly is something magical about the Fall season. Maybe it’s the fading of the green leaves into yellow and red, or the feeling of cozying up beside a warming fireplace with family and a slice of freshly baked pumpkin pie? Regardless, there might not be anything more calming than a simple Autumn nature walk.
Nothing compares to watching the kids and grandchildren run around the pumpkin patch, or simply reminiscing on the past on a relaxing afternoon stroll under the everglow of the Autumn leaves. Enjoying the serenity of the crisp Fall air is an affordable and overlooked seasonal activity, but a timeless way to create and share memories with your loved ones, as well as a perfect way to sneak in some seamless exercise.
Sharpen up with a Puzzle or Board Game
When compared to catching up on highlights from last night’s football game or heading to the store to pick up fertilizer for the garden, sitting down for a puzzle might not sound like the most appealing way to spend your time. However, the benefits of gathering the family and sitting down for a nice puzzle or board game with your loved ones might surprise you.
For seniors with deterring cognitive capacities, a study from Nanyang Technological University found that participating in puzzle games for at least an hour a day can help to increase executive functions (for our ability to make everyday decisions when the environment changes), as well as improve mental flexibility (a.k.a: situational adaptability).
Socializing with family over a calming puzzle or board game is also a great way to improve the memory and mental health of your loved ones. One review published by the American Journal of Psychiatry even found that puzzle games may help to reduce the risk of dementia.
De-stress with a Bottle of Wine!
Apart from from being a perfect way to end a long day, drinking wine can actually be very beneficial! In an article written by Ashely Sobel (RD, CDN), it was found that red wines can help combat chronic inflammation, as well as improve general heart health.
While alcohol consumption may seem counter intuitive to senior care, when consumed in moderation, the high concentration of polyphenol antioxidants, found in red wine, can actually help reduce the risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and metabolic diseases.
It is important to note that consumption in excess can have negative effects on general health, especially for seniors as they generally have less water in their body which affects their ability to process alcohol. But with a careful eye and the company of some loving family, this is sure to be a home care favourite! Here’s to the Fall season!
