Have you ever felt stressed out or frustrated to the point of wanting to give up? Or felt like you were going crazy because you lost your car keys again or aren’t feeling quite yourself? Of course, we’ve all had this problem at one time or another… especially as we grow older. Throw a pandemic into the mix and my mind really started to wander, having the tendency to zone out as the days blurred together. So what’s to be done? After all, we’re easing back into normalcy now, which means getting back into a routine again.
You’ve complained to a family member or friend and no one seems to understand. They may have even given you, “the look”. At this point, you probably feel angry… which is normal, but can’t continue. So, in this post, I’ll give you some great ideas for mindfulness activities for seniors to help you gain peace of mind and find your way back to feeling like your old self again!
What is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness is a basic human ability that comes naturally to all of us where we’re able to stay present and aware of what we’re doing and who we are. Being upset or over excited by what may be happening in our environment isn’t always necessary. By doing mindfulness activities for seniors, you can avoid becoming overly emotional over slight details and focus on being positive.
Research has suggested that mindfulness activities for seniors may help combat the decline in memory or cognitive function. Exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet, acquiring enough sleep, reading fiction, and learning a new skill are also lifestyle practices to enhance mental abilities.
Being mindful can also benefit you by improving your social skills and helping you meet new people. You can do this by taking a yoga or meditation class, or practicing active listening. There are several benefits of mindfulness activities for seniors including:
Reduce stress
Boost emotional well-being
Ease depression
Cope with pain
Improve sleep quality
Enhance calmness
Focus better
Build memory skills
There are various benefits to becoming involved in mindfulness activities for seniors… probably the most noteworthy being improved cognitive ability and increased social interactions.
Whether you find pleasure in doing these by yourself or with a group, they work. Mindfulness can be incorporated into almost everything you do, because it’s about awareness more than the activity itself.
Mather Institute Virtual Programming
Our virtual programs through the Mather Institute are designed to support your wellness journey, with opportunities to learn something new, connect, and explore. We’re offering a new cycle of programs this month.
Interested in art? Try one of these programs: In Women History Forgot, we’ll learn how the lives, emotions, and art of women throughout history connect to our own, and talk about how their influence lasts to this day. Check out Inquiry-Based Museum Experience to explore creative topics including the connections between Civil War-era story quilts and current artists like Bisa Butler, whose quilts were shown at the Art Institute of Chicago in 2021.
You can sign up for any single session, or for a full four-part series–it’s up to you. We’re offering multiple times and dates for each program, so you can select what’s convenient for you. And we have a new registration process! Please browse the web page https://www.mather.com/programs and click on any program to see options.
Holiday Ornament Craft November 14, 2022
Do you want to learn how to make a beautiful and easy decoration for Christmas? And the best part is that it is made from last year’s Christmas cards! Join us on Monday November 14th at 1:15 in the Senior Center Dining Hall to learn how to make this wonderful Christmas globe. No art skills needed – no experience required – and all materials are provided for you! We will be cutting circles that have been traced on the cards and gluing them together in a special way. Our teacher will be Denise Fisk who is a former elementary school art teacher from the Iowa Public Schools. Come join us for some holiday fun!
Mobile Food Pantry Service Available for Seniors
The Pagosa Senior Center would like to remind the community about our mobile food pantry services we provide in partnership with Archuleta County MET to seniors age 60 and older throughout most areas of Archuleta County. In order to participate in this program, community members must visit with Barbara Noriega at the downtown Senior Center located in the Ross Aragon Community Center to fill out an application to qualify for hot meal delivery service and/or the mobile pantry service. The application, called the dining assessment form, is also available on our website at the bottom of the Community Cafe page http://www.psseniors.org/community-cafeacute.html. For more information contact us at 970-264-2167.
Kitchen and Desk Volunteers Needed
The Community Cafe at the Pagosa Senior Center is requesting volunteers to help with greeting customers. Please call or text us at 970-264-2167 to volunteer or for more information.
Community Cafe Menu
Thursday, November 3 – Grilled cheese and tomato soup with chef salad and fruit.
Friday, November 4 – Monterey chicken casserole with baked cauliflower, salad, fruit and cake.
Monday,November 7 – Salmon with dill sauce, wild rice, zucchini saute, salad, yogurt and fruit.
Tuesday, November 8 – Spinach mushroom quiche, cherry crispr, salad and fruit.
Wednesday, November 9 – Chicken piccata, with scalloped potatoes, glazed carrots, salad and fruit.
Thursday, November 10 – Pulled pork with creamed corn, blueberry cobbler, coleslaw, salad and fruit
Friday, November 11 – Veterans Day Closed
Grab-N-Go Meals
Reservations and cancellations are required. Please call or text by 9:00 am the morning of the day you want to pick up a meal. A suggested donation of $5.00 helps to sustain our program. No one will be turned away for their inability to donate. For ages 59 and younger, the cost is $10.50. Please call or text us at 970-264-2167 to make a reservation.
Meals on Wheels We deliver fresh Meals on Wheels five days a week (and provide frozen Meals on Wheels for weekends) to homebound Archuleta County residents. Call or text us at 970-264-2167.