New Year, New You: Resolutions for Seniors to Consider

Whether it’s the first of the year or a few weeks into the month, it’s never too late to start a New Year’s resolution. But instead of the vague yearly goals like eating better or getting healthy, consider working toward something actionable. A concrete plan allows you to see the progress as the year continues so you can look back at the end of the new year and see how far you’ve come. 

Cook More Meals at Home

Instead of focusing your New Year’s resolution on eating better or healthier, refocus your goal on making more of your meals at home. When you’re eating restaurant food or pre-made meals, such as frozen dinners, you can’t control what’s in the food you eat, and you may not be giving your body the nutrients it needs. 

Pick a certain number of meals you can stick to each month or week that you will make at home. Be realistic with yourself about your time and abilities. If you’re uncomfortable in the kitchen, start with one or two meals a week and keep them simple. If you enjoy cooking or already cook many of your meals, set a more frequent goal. 

Once you have how many meals you’ll make, plan them into your routine. Write out the recipes you want to make and mark the days on your calendar when you want to make them. A visual representation can help with accountability and allow you to see your progress. 

Schedule More Social Outings 

Humans are social creatures, and proper socialization is essential for our emotional and mental well-being. If you spend much time at home, consider building your social calendar this year. People who spend too much time alone may experience social isolation and depression. 

Start by reaching out to loved ones and try planning a recurring monthly lunch or dinner. You can create a standing invite where anyone available meets at a favorite restaurant or nearby relative’s house. If a monthly gathering feels like too big of a commitment, you can plan bi-monthly or quarterly meetings to connect with your family. 

Outside of seeing your loved ones, you can also step outside your comfort zone and meet new people. You can sign up for a book club, walking group, or another hobbyist community to interact with others who share similar interests. You can also volunteer at a nearby animal shelter or with a local nonprofit.

Whatever ways you decide to build up your social calendar, aim to get out of the house at least once a week. Even if you don’t have plans to meet someone, getting outside to enjoy the fresh air can do wonders for your overall well-being. 

Invest in a New Hobby

One of the excellent parts of retirement is having more free time to learn new skills and try new hobbies. If you haven’t taken advantage of your downtime, make this year your year to invest in a new hobby. 

Make a list of anything and everything you’ve wanted to try and start researching if there are teachers or hobbyist groups in your area dedicated to your new hobby. Maybe you’ve always walked to take a dance or cooking lesson. Or perhaps you’ve been interested to learn more about a subject like psychology or computer science. You can also consider signing up for community college courses or joining a webinar to immerse yourself in a new topic.

Dedicate a few hours each week to your new hobby, and stick with it, even if learning something new is a bit challenging. If you discover it’s not as exciting as you thought it would be after a few months, you can always try something else!

Need help at home sticking to your New Year’s resolution? The team at Visiting Angels can help. Our Gulf Shores office works with seniors and families in the Alabama Gulf Coast, including Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. If you’d like to learn more about our services or schedule a complimentary consultation, send us a message or call 251.943.7525.