Spring is here! There’s nothing like saying goodbye frost, hello sunshine! Last year’s spring blog celebrated fresh beginnings by offering simple ways to declutter our homes and make our spaces cleaner, airier, and more inviting. This year, we’re looking at ways that we can “spring clean” our minds.
As we hunker down to get through a long winter, we naturally slow down and adapt to cold dark days spent indoors. We form “winter habits,” like being more sedentary, watching more movies, or eating heavier foods. But as the sun comes out and the days get longer, new possibilities emerge. In this month’s blog, we’ll explore ways to dust off our brains and get active in a new season.
Take a Class
What better way to refresh your mind than to learn something new! There are lots of ways to learn. You could head over to your local community center for an art class, computer class, health and fitness opportunities, or to simply spend time with others. Or you could dive deeper into a subject or skill by enrolling in a continuing ed class at a local university. Local YMCAs host seniors’ fitness classes, and the AARP Virtual Community Center offers ongoing concerts, events, and classes online. You can even download a language app and start learning a new language from home. Whether you want to learn on your own or with others, there are lots of ways to brush off the dust and light up your mind.
Consider a Part-Time Job or Volunteering
If you’re looking to get out of the house and spend time with others, finding a suitable part-time job or volunteer opportunity could be right for you. AARP offers an extensive database of job opportunities for adults ages 50 and over. Additionally, you might consider working somewhere you enjoy spending time like a local bakery, coffee shop, or museum.
Or, you may prefer volunteering for a place or a cause that matters to you. A local humane society, library, veterans center, or a grandchild’s school often appreciate and utilize volunteer help. Volunteer Fort Wayne lists many places looking for volunteers who want to use their skills to serve others. What a great way to use your mind for good!
Explore
What better way to expand your mind than to go exploring? You don’t have to go far to enjoy new experiences. Is there a new or ethnic restaurant you’d like to try? Or a special treat from a food truck? Visit Fort Wayne offers a guide to all the delicious food spots in and around Fort Wayne.
Northeast Indiana also boasts lakes, rivers, and trails ready to enjoy. This guide to spring fun around The Fort suggests lots of ways to explore the outdoors and other areas of interest nearby. Of course, beauty can find you wherever you are – even in your own backyard. Heading out to the patio to sit in the warm sun with a cool drink and a book can satisfy anyone looking for a relaxing experience right at home. Take in the beauty right where you live, from the sights and sounds of birds returning to buds emerging, and the smell of a fresh, warm spring breeze.
If you do want to journey far away while staying close to home, consider visiting the Genealogy Center at the Allen County Public Library downtown. Experienced genealogists can help you trace ancestors all over the world. And if you can’t visit in person, the genealogy center offers virtual monthly programming as well as access to information and the collection online. The time to start exploring is now!
Plant Things
If you have a garden space, try planting something new or different this spring. Is there a flower or plant you’ve always been interested in but have never worked with? Why not give it a try? Or, head to a local nursery or garden store and find something unfamiliar that intrigues you. Ask questions about how to give that plant the best care, buy what you need, and get growing!
If outdoor gardening isn’t an option, you could purchase a small houseplant from the grocery store floral department. Stores often feature seasonal favorites alongside other plants that you might not expect. In spring, you might find potted shamrocks, flowering bulbs like tulips and lilies, and more. Caring for plants both outdoors and in can help increase a sense of well-being and reduce stress. Indoor plants also help clean the air in the home.
Whatever you do to help your brain wake up this spring, enjoy yourself! With all the new buds on trees, rays of sunshine, and warmer breezes, brushing off the winter dust should be pleasant indeed.
The Cedars Retirement Community
Located just outside of Fort Wayne, Indiana, The Cedars Retirement Community believes in providing the highest quality of life and opportunity for seniors. We want to ensure that your latter years are lived with joy, enthusiasm, and relational connections. Please contact us with any questions or to schedule a tour of our beautiful lakeside retirement community.