Winter can be a lonely season, especially for seniors. As days get shorter and the temperatures get colder, seniors spend more periods indoors alone. As a result, feelings of loneliness and social isolation creep in. This reduces their quality of life. Fortunately, several healthy early morning habits and routines can help an elderly loved one feel less lonely and isolated this winter in Racine.
Here are five simple tips to help seniors create a perfect morning routine in the coldest of winters.
Having a Morning Routine
Creating a routine early in the morning or before bed is a great way to manage feelings of anxiety and loneliness. A routine helps seniors feel like they have better control of their environment and life. They can create a list of activities they can do by themselves each day and set a specific time for these activities. Some examples of these are watching a movie, having dinner, going to the park, visiting the museum, or any other place they have always wanted to go. If they can establish a new hobby that puts them with other like-minded people, the better. The right routine should take seniors to a place where they will be around people, even if they are not necessarily making friends. These may include MeetUp groups, library clubs, city events, and more.
Spending a Few Minutes Outdoors
Winter can trigger seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a type of depression that follows changing weather patterns. Getting outside for at least 30 minutes daily is great for your mood and physical health. However, senior loved ones should spend less time outside if the temperature dips below -10 Fahrenheit. Make sure they wear warm clothes while covering their heads and hands to prevent lung damage.
Practicing Meditation
Meditation is one of the most beneficial habits to adopt. Studies show that mindfulness meditation training can help reduce feelings of isolation by down-regulating the expression of inflammation-related genes. In simpler terms, meditation increases mental resilience and feelings of contentment and happiness. It also enhances self-awareness and brings one's mind into the present moment. All these benefits can help seniors fight loneliness during long nights and cold days.
Morning Exercises
Seniors should also incorporate some physical activity into their early morning routine. Exercise releases vital "feel good" chemicals in the human brain, which helps one feel happy and upbeat. Although the frigid temperatures may not be ideal for early morning runs, seniors can still get some exercise right inside their houses. Some of the ideal ways for seniors to stay active during the cold season include:
- Dancing
- Climbing stairs
- Brisk walking
- Lifting weights
- Using resistance bands
Unintentional Morning Habits That Might Contribute to Isolation or Loneliness
During warmer months, people love to get up early and catch up with the day's routine, including enjoying the sun or going for a walk. But now that winter has set in, it becomes harder for one to get out of bed. Spending too much time in bed is one of the unintentional morning habits that might contribute to isolation or loneliness. Other habits that seniors should ditch include:
- Social media: Experts say spending too much time on social media early in the morning is not great for one's mental health. Social media fosters a false reality of what life should be and creates unrealistic expectations. This can impact how one feels about themselves, which further worsens feelings of loneliness.
- Early morning news: Watching the news first thing in the morning creates a negative perspective and worldview even before the day starts. How one starts their day impacts how it will unfold. The elderly should be encouraged to engage in activities that bring serenity while fostering motivating thoughts.
Stay Upbeat With a Healthy Morning Routine
When senior loved ones start their mornings on the right footing, their day will be great despite the cold temperature this winter. Family members and professional caregivers in Racine can use the tips above to help their loved ones fight off loneliness and feelings of isolation.
Senior Helpers is Racine's premier provider of in-home senior care services. They offer a comprehensive suite of programs and services that support the elderly in place. Whether a loved one needs help for a few hours or around the clock, the compassionate caregivers at Senior Helpers always provide high-quality and responsive care that lets seniors enjoy independent living no matter the season. Contact us today to learn more about custom programs available in our Racine facility.