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Health Tips

Try something new this year! Fun activities for your mind, body, and soul

December 12, 2022
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CCA member Judy holding her diamond art

It’s a new year! It’s time to break away from your everyday routine. Below are some ideas for adding a bit of healthy fun to your life in the new year.  

Journaling

Did you know that journaling helps reduce stress levels and anxiety, improves memory, and can slow down dementia? To get started, all you need is a pen and paper. Set aside a few minutes each day to write down your thoughts. Don’t feel like you need to edit or correct yourself. If you get stuck, ask yourself some questions. What did I enjoy most about my day? What am I grateful for?  

Want more ideas? Check out this article: Journaling Ideas For When You Don’t Know What to Write About

Yoga or Tai Chi

Yoga and tai chi are low-impact activities that have both physical and mental benefits. They can help with balance and mobility and keep your brain sharp. The focus on breathing helps improve concentration and reduce stress, while stretching helps strengthen muscles. With yoga, you can start simple by doing chair yoga exercises. With tai chi, you can take classes or watch videos online to learn the basics. Before beginning any new physical activities, talk to your Primary Care Provider first. They will make sure you are healthy enough to take part.

Arts and Crafts

Tap into your creative side. Take up knitting, crocheting, needlepoint, painting, coloring, or even creating diamond art! Studies have shown that arts and crafts can relieve stress, boost your confidence, strengthen your brain, and even improve quality of life. Here’s the best part: When you’re done, you can proudly display your masterpiece in your living space.  

Singing

Everyone should try karaoke at some point in their life. Why not now? After all, singing has health benefits. It helps blood circulation by exercising the heart and lungs. This increases oxygen flow to all parts of the body—including the brain. Plus, singing makes you feel good! It reduces stress hormones and releases happy hormones called endorphins. Singing together with other people creates a positive connection and adds to the fun.  

Walking

It’s no secret that exercise helps to keep you healthy in many ways. But that doesn’t mean you have to become a marathon runner or do aerobics every day. There are plenty of low-impact exercises that can benefit your overall health.  Just taking a walk every day can work wonders on your overall health. Consider starting a walking club with friends or neighbors. Make it a social event that you’ll look forward to every day. 

Since these activities can help improve your physical and/or mental health, make them part of your 2022 New Year’s Resolutions. To get started, set a goal to try one of these activities 2-3 times per week for a month. If you love it after a month, keep going!

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