Summer Safety for Seniors — Enjoying Shared Green Spaces
Everyone enjoys and benefits from time spent outdoors, especially in the summertime. Not only does spending time in greenspaces improve your mood, but it may also improve your social well-being when you spend your time outside among like-minded individuals.
How Greenspace Affects Your Health
Giving You a Vitamin D Pick-Me-Up
The benefits of being outdoors are countless for older adults, especially since spending time outside usually equates to spending time in sunlight. When you sit, stand or walk in the sun, your body is able to absorb enough light to produce vitamin D. With enough vitamin D, your body can boost its immune system, making it less likely for you to develop a severe illness and improving your overall bone and blood health.
Improving Your Mood
Seniors who spend more time in sunlight typically have higher serotonin levels. Serotonin is a feel-good chemical associated with happiness, and higher levels of it in the brain equal an improved mood. Aside from the boost of sunlight, being outdoors can generally improve your mood too, since being in a natural environment is linked to lowered anxiety and stress.
Promoting Exercise and Your Activity Levels
While you can reap many benefits from simply sitting in greenspaces, you can double your benefits by walking or exercising outdoors. Physical activity is especially important for older adults to help improve their bone and muscle strength and decrease the risk of falls. When you engage in physical activity in nature, you will gain all the benefits of regular exercise plus the benefits of being in the sun, such as higher vitamin D levels and a boosted mood.
Encouraging a Boost in Your Social Well-Being
Having a sense of community is important for living a long, happy life. When you step outside, you are bound to see other people in your area, whether you live in a small town or in a senior living community like The Davis Community. You can also invite friends and neighbors to sit or walk outside with you to feel the benefits of socialization.
Socialization has its own extensive list of benefits, including reduced risk of developing depression and improved overall mental health.
What Is Included in Shared Greenspaces?
Many small and large communities, including retirement living communities, may offer shared greenspaces that are meant for all local residents to use. For example, The Davis Community’s 54-acre campus is filled with walking paths and outdoor socialization areas for residents to enjoy.
An Outdoor Space
At the heart of all shared greenspaces is an organized outdoor space. This space may include features like benches, tables and trails for you to use. At The Davis Community, you will find a playground for grandchildren as well as spaces for adults like bocce and pickleball courts.
A Greenhouse
A shared greenhouse for The Davis Community residents to use provides a chance to enjoy time outside. Gardening has its own benefits too, like promoting a healthy diet.
A Pet-Friendly Area
Spending time with animals can unlock benefits similar to socialization and can reduce feelings of stress. At The Davis Community, there is a dog park where you and your furry friends can play and socialize with other pet owners.
If you or a family member is thinking about joining a senior living community where you can enjoy time in a greenspace every day, consider The Davis Community, where you are surrounded by premier amenities in a desirable location. To learn more about the campus, click here or call us at 910-679-9885 today.
P.S. Don’t forget to wear sunscreen!