Activities That Interest Senior Citizens

Senior citizens should involve themselves in engaging activities to stay fit and prevent memory loss. Seniors that participate in group activities may share laughter and joy. This develops a bonding experience between them. Playing games can be the answer to relieving depression, anxiety and loneliness.

Games

• Technology has evolved where game consoles can read the motion or activity of your body. Senior citizens who have never played video games may be intimidated because of the game or complex control schemes. However, there are now games on the market specifically for seniors that are fun and some are even group oriented. Other games provide challenges such as crossword puzzles, Sudoku or brain teasers. These can enhance a senior citizen's memory.

Tai Chi and Qigong

• Tai Chi has evolved from a martial art technique to a slow movement and low-impact training. It involves controlled breathing and deep meditation that improves the overall health of seniors. According to WebMD.com, Tai Chi shows some positive benefits in aiding sleep, osteoarthritis, strength conditioning and avoiding shingles. Senior citizens practicing Tai Chi in a group can benefit from it because it involves socialization with others.

  Qigong teaches how to use your mind to guide energies to other parts of your body. The process is similar to Tai Chi, but seniors move their arms in slow circular motions, give themselves massages and performing meditation. Seniors can learn self-healing techniques that can help prevent or reverse diseases like high blood pressure, stroke and fibromyalgia.

Sightseeing

• Seniors have the opportunity to go on trips and discover things they couldn't before. This could be due to obligations or responsibilities such as work or being a full-time parent that didn't allow them to pursue travel earlier in life. Retirees may obtain the free time to explore other cultures in different states or continents. They can go on aerial tours or on cruise vacations to see famous landmarks and experience the world.

Gardening

• Senior citizens need to exercise, and gardening provides that source. According to "Senior Journal," gardening is acceptable for seniors to meet the physical activity requirements needed to stay in good health. The report came from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). Gardening has a calming effect because seniors are creating and nurturing flower beds or growing their own herbs and vegetables.

Massage Therapy

• Senior citizens who receive regular massage therapy can relieve stress, improve posture, circulation, relax muscles and control pain. Therapeutic massages provide relief of daily tension associated with stress and can help with the recovery process of various medical conditions.