There are many activities to help with holiday blues. The holidays are a great time of fun, laughter and festivities. However, for some it can be a time of loneliness and depression. The start of cold, adverse weather often reduces activity levels and many find it difficult to find motivation to go outside. Although the holidays are a stressful time, there are many different ways to engage in meaningful activities that will keep you healthy and happy!
Walk around the neighborhood:
As long as the weather permits and the sidewalks aren’t icy, a nice walk in the neighborhood is a great way to get some physical activity in. Taking a walk in mid morning into the afternoon is preferred since the sun is out more and is warmer outside. Making sure to layer up and check the weather forecast is always important. This is a nice and simple way to get outdoor time and is a great habit to get into! Moreover, finding a walking buddy makes it twice as enjoyable!
Holiday decorating:
Surprisingly, decorating for the holidays is one way to get physical activity in. Between, safely lifting boxes, walking, reaching and other related tasks, people perform a lot of dynamic movements. It can work someone’s balance, stamina, coordination and overall movement. It can get someone in the holiday mood and is one of many activities to help boost someone’s mood.
Yoga:
Many physical activities releases endorphin and feel good chemicals. As an added bonus, yoga is beneficial because it is not stressful to bones, is non impact and can be soothing and meditative. For many, they find it calming and helps stretch and relax muscles. While yoga generally does not work a lot of stamina, it does train people to breath consistently and more effectively.
Dance videos on tv:
If being outside is not an option, than following along to a dance video is a great way to get those endorphins going! As long as you have a way to stream or watch videos on your tv or other device, you can have fun grooving and moving to different beats and choreography. Many programs have a variety of different skill levels, speeds and options for people and are affordable.
Swimming:
Going to your local YMCA or your local indoor pool is another great alternative to going outside. Swimming has many great benefits. It works your whole body, cardiovascular system and is low impact and easy on your joints. Moreover, the resistance of the water is an effective way to strengthen the upper body and arms. Furthermore, many people find it enjoyable because it is different than traditional workouts or going to the gym and is very relaxing.
Community activities:
Many senior centers, community centers, apartments and other local venues hold monthly or weekly activities. Whether it’s bingo, arts and crafts, shows and performances or other fun games, there are plenty of ways to keep people active and engaged. Social interactions are just as important as maintaining physical activity and is another important part in overall mental and physical wellbeing.
Conclusion:
There several great activities to help fight off the holiday blues. If you or a loved one are experiencing loss of mobility, balance or weakness, physical therapy could help! To learn more about the benefits of in-home physical therapy, call First State Rehab at Home today at 302-304-9729. You can also fill out our Contact form. We would be happy to answer any questions. We see clients in New Castle County DE, Kent County DE and Delaware County PA.
In Delaware County, Pennsylvania, we serve: Glen Mills, Boothwyn, Chester, Media, Newtown Square, Garnet Valley, Concordville, Aston, Broomall, Springfield, just to name a few.
Tags: Swimming, Holiday decorating, Physical Activity, First State Rehab at Home
