When spring rolls around, the fresh air and sunshine are natural remedies for pain management. A bit of fresh air, Vitamin D and light exercise are excellent ways to boost the mood and maintain an active lifestyle. This is especially important during a pandemic, as activities you may have once enjoyed may be more limited.

Let’s look at six ways to stay active as the snow clears and the springtime weather settles in.

1. Walk Daily

Walking has a ton of benefits for older adults. It strengthens the bones, prevents osteoporosis and reduces blood pressure. Now that the weather is warming up, you can walk safely outdoors and reap the benefits of fresh air and sunshine. Just 30 minutes a day is all that’s needed to meet the weekly threshold of 2.5 hours of moderate aerobic exercise each week.

2. Plant a Garden

Gardening is a therapeutic way to maintain an active lifestyle. Some of the best vegetables to plant in the spring are cucumbers, beets, carrots, tomatoes and peppers. Not only does gardening provide daily activity but also it builds self esteem. You’ll enjoy watching your hard work come to life and you can fill your plate with fresh herbs and produce from the garden.

3. Enjoy Happy Hour

During the winter, people tend to retreat indoors more often. But now that it’s spring, it’s important to spend more time with your peers. If you live in a retirement community, be sure to attend afternoon socials or happy hours in person or on Zoom. This way, you can enjoy an independent and active lifestyle while getting out of your room.

4. Learn a New Dance

Another way to keep active is by learning a new dance. Dancing promotes muscle strength, coordination and strong bones. As with happy hour, you can participate in dance classes online or in person, depending on your comfort level and what’s available to you. With practice, you’ll learn a senior-friendly dance routine that will encourage movement and keep your spirits up!

5. Spring Clean Your Space

Spring cleaning is another way to stay active and healthy this spring. Enlist help from friends, family and neighbors and spread out your to-do list over the course of several weeks. Clean out drawers and closets and spend time cleaning furniture, floors and walls. Open up the windows and let in fresh air while you clean. You’ll feel better and your space will look brand new!

6. Attend the Grandkids’ Activities

Spend time with the grandkids this spring. Kids love spending time outdoors, and this is an excellent way to stay socially and physically active while building new memories. Tag along to a soccer game, plan a trip to the zoo or arrange for an afternoon picnic at the park. These activities are usually more comfortable now than in the summer when the temps are hot and humid.

Jersey Rehab is committed to helping people of all ages and abilities lead healthy, active lifestyles. If you are ready to start a new exercise regimen this spring, contact Jersey Rehab at one of our three locations. Our doctors will provide you with a comprehensive exam and determine what activities you are ready for.