How Wellness Retreats Can Help Enhance Seniors’ Well-being
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Although retirement can serve as a source of security and relaxation for seniors, it still comes with its own set of challenges. A 2021 study involving older adults aged 55 to 70 has found that due to the loss of daily routines and decline in physical and mental activity, the transition to retirement can have a major impact on seniors’ health and lifestyle habits. At the same time, leaving a stressful or demanding job can increase seniors’ free time for a variety of experiential activities, which fortunately include wellness retreats. Wellness retreats are trips and excursions that seniors can take and are centered around relaxation, connection, and education. These retreats usually cover various physical, social, or spiritual activities. Here's a closer look at how they can help enhance seniors’ health outcomes and overall quality of life. Preventing sedentary lifestyles
There tends to be a decline in regular physical activity as we age. According to the CDC, the prevalence of inactivity is the highest (35.3%) among seniors over 75 years of age. But when seniors are given the chance to engage in wellness retreats involving yoga, meditation, and hiking, they are encouraged to get active and moving. To add, a previous article has cited physically inactive lifestyles among the elderly as one of the causes of tightness and pain in the joints. Thus, preventing sedentary lifestyles through physical and outdoor activities can also lower the risk of injuries among seniors.
Providing mental stimulation
Wellness retreats can also come in the form of cultural immersions, guided tours, and museum visits. With these opportunities for lifelong learning and education, seniors can continue stimulating their cognitive functions even later in life. This is especially important considering how age-related changes in brain structure can make older adults struggle with attention, memory, and information processing. However, even when wellness activities are not entirely cognitive in nature, the strong link between physical activity and brain health through the thickening of the cerebral cortex can still benefit older adults. Creating a diverse and inclusive space
Whether seniors are in assisted living or choose to age in place, it can sometimes be difficult to maintain the same level of social interaction and belonging that they’ve experienced before retirement. Fortunately, there are diverse and inclusive wellness spaces that offer a positive and accepting environment for seniors who may find themselves excluded in mainstream fitness centers focused on younger, able-bodied adults. By meeting fellow wellness clients of different body types and backgrounds, older adults can feel much more confident in their own skin. This confidence can then encourage them to continue investing in their physical and mental wellness, even outside of the retreat. In San Diego, for example, the Pilgrimage of the Heart Yoga facility offers adaptive, suitable-to-age yoga classes that will help seniors improve their movement and find inner peace. Increasing elderly life satisfaction
Lastly, visiting tourist destinations through wellness retreats can positively impact seniors’ overall life satisfaction. The findings of a 2022 study about wellness tourism among the elderly indicate that they look forward to vacationing in wellness areas like hot springs in order to learn more about local cultures, share altruistic values, and access special tourism products. In response, travel agencies and providers recognize this desire and thus seek to better meet seniors’ travel needs. A great travel experience is a great way to contribute to the dignity and quality of life among the elderly. Once wellness retreats come to an end, it is essential that seniors are able to return to equally supportive and accepting home environments. In this light, MJ Housing & Services specializes in providing seniors of all income levels and backgrounds affordable housing communities. We also coordinate comprehensive and culturally-sensitive services for over 10,000 residents, thus improving their health, safety, and overall quality of life.
Article written by Roseanne Jayne