As spring begins to bloom, the cold weather fades and the sun begins to shine a little brighter. This season is the perfect time to spend more days outside, soaking up the sunshine and fresh air. Whether it’s for five minutes or an hour, getting outdoors can have positive effects on the health and wellness of everyone, but especially senior adults.

Whether you are a senior, or you represent a senior living community looking to create more nature-focused opportunities for your residents, read on to learn more about how connecting with nature through outdoor activities can spark fulfillment and improve health.

Ways to Interact with Nature

Be Active Outdoors

Going on walks or participating in an exercise class can be a great way to connect with nature while also caring for physical health.

The National Park Service reports that walking in nature can reduce inflammation and boost your immune system, while reducing certain the risk of certain diseases and cancers. This is a good practice for everyone, but for older adults this can be an especially helpful way to encourage physical health. Walking can also provide an opportunity for relationship-building. Residents in assisted living communities can go on walks together to experience a peaceful outdoor environment and connect with nature while spending quality time with other residents.

Performing an exercise outdoors actually leads to greater health benefits than doing that same activity indoors. So, whether that means going for a walk, participating in an exercise class, performing calming yoga, moving whatever physical activity you enjoy to the outdoors can significantly benefit you physically, cognitively, and socially.

Care For a Garden

Seniors can also benefit not just from being in nature, but also from actually interacting with it. Caring for a garden is an accessible, beneficial, and fulfilling way for older adults to spend time outdoors.

Often, senior living communities have shared gardens for residents to care for. Raised garden beds can make this an activity for everyone to enjoy. Another interactive way to engage in nature is by birdwatching. Setting up birdhouses and feeders for seniors to care for birds can provide them with a sense of purpose. Interacting with nature through taking care of it can enhance self-esteem and overall satisfaction with life.

Sit Outside

Connecting with nature through outdoor physical activity and engagement are both fulfilling ways to spend time. However, to feel the positive effects of nature, you don’t need to be doing anything.

Spending time outdoors, even just sitting and soaking up the fresh air, can help you sleep better. Exposure to natural light during the day can regulate the sleep/wake cycle, so for seniors who struggle to sleep well, this is a worthwhile practice.

Nature also encourages happiness and supports mental health. According to the University of California Davis, nature can help decrease anxiety levels and can help lessen stress and feelings of anger. Nature generates positive emotions like calmness, joy, and creativity.

For brain health, simply sitting outdoors can make an impact. Spending time in green spaces can slow cognitive decline and stimulate the mind, which is crucial for those dealing with age-related cognitive changes or early symptoms of dementia. So, while going for nature walks and interacting with nature is enjoyable and beneficial, simply being still in fresh air is a fulfilling experience. There is some way to benefit from nature no matter what stage of life you or your loved one is in.

Connecting with nature, in whatever way you see fit, can encourage wellness and bring health benefits. It can encourage friendships and provide an entertaining experience. For senior living communities, creating activities that are nature-focused can help your residents experience satisfaction and happiness in their daily lives. For more activity ideas for your residents or loved ones, check out our recent blog post.