Shorter days and colder temperatures don’t have to mean putting your well-being on hold until spring. Winter can be a great time to shake up your routine, try something new and stay physically active and mentally and socially engaged. With a little intention, winter can be a time for growth and discovery.
Add Some Variety to Your Fitness Plan
There’s nothing wrong with having a regular fitness routine, like walking on the treadmill or attending the same exercise class week after week. But over time, repetition can lead to boredom and decreased motivation. Trying out a new class can put a spark back into your workouts and reignite your enthusiasm. Dancing is a great way to shake up your regular routine. Whether it’s a Zumba class at the gym or a line dancing class at the community center, dancing gets you moving and connected to those who share your passions.
Dancing isn’t just fun—it has a multitude of health benefits as well. According to an article published on Healthline, seniors who engage in dancing regularly may experience improvements in:
- Balance
- Mobility
- Lower body strength
- Cardiovascular health
- Energy and flexibility
- Cognitive function
- Muscular strength and endurance
- Social engagement
If winter weather is keeping you indoors, online workouts like these free classes offered by the AARP help you stay active in the comfort of your own home.
Spice Up Your Menu
Eating a healthy, balanced diet benefits your mind and body and supports healthy aging, but it can be easy to get stuck in a rut, eating the same meals on repeat. Winter is the perfect time to try out cozy, hearty, soups and casseroles packed with vegetables, whole grains and fiber, like these healthy aging recipes from EatingWell.
Better yet, turn your culinary adventures into a social event and schedule a weekly dinner with friends so you can all try out new recipes together. Staying connected and engaged helps reduce feelings of isolation and depression and improves cognitive function.
Learn Something New or Reignite Your Passion for an Old Hobby
Learning something new or revisiting a hobby you enjoyed in the past not only makes your life more interesting and engaging, it can have a whole host of benefits for your health and well-being. Just like physical exercise strengthens your body, learning a new skill exercises your brain, helping you to create new neural connections, improve memory and enhance problem-solving skills. Engaging in lifelong learning also boosts your self-esteem and gives you a sense of purpose and personal fulfillment.
If you’re looking for inspiration, consider:
- Taking an art or photography class
- Learning a new language
- Joining a writing group or book club
- Learning to crochet or knit
- Taking a ballroom dance class
- Updating your technology skills
- Checking out local museums to learn more about science, art or history
There are many free online learning opportunities as well, like these Senior Planet classes offered by AARP, so you can keep learning even if icy roads keep you at home.
Ginger Cove Supports Thriving—At Home and Beyond
At Ginger Cove, we believe staying active, engaged, and connected is essential at every stage of life and in every season. As Annapolis’ premier Life-Care community, Ginger Cove offers residents a vibrant lifestyle with resort-style amenities, a state-of-the-art fitness and wellness center, and a wide range of social, cultural, and lifelong learning opportunities—along with peace of mind for the future.
For those who love their current home and want to remain there longer, Ginger Cove at Home extends that same philosophy beyond campus. This continuing care at home program supports older adults throughout Maryland with care coordination, planning guidance, and access to trusted resources designed to help people age confidently where they live—while still having a plan for what comes next.
Whether you’re exploring a move to a Life-Care community or looking for ways to stay supported at home, planning ahead opens the door to more choices and greater peace of mind. We invite you to learn more about the options available and discover which path best fits your life today—and tomorrow.
Explore Ginger Cove Living
See how campus life supports an active, engaged lifestyle.
Discover Ginger Cove at Home
A flexible way to plan for the future while staying at home.