Senior, do you ever find yourself feeling bored? Unmotivated, adrift, or blue?
Consider adding a little bird-watching to your routine. Birdwatching as a hobby is easy and requires little to no equipment. It benefits one’s mental and physical health and can lead to satisfying social interactions. It is a hobby that can bring joy and delight with each new discovery.
There are several good and helpful by-products of spending time bird-watching. Here are a few.
Bird-watching can reduce stress and relieve negative thoughts and emotions. Watching and enjoying birds helps the mind relax and builds mindfulness. A relaxed, meditative state stimulates cognitive function.
Being near singing birds boosts feelings of well-being and facilitates a connection with nature. Even seniors on bedrest can enjoy bird-watching with the help of their caregivers or family.
Birdwatching exercises memory muscles as you try to remember individual bird songs and identify bird species by sight and sound. The hobby sharpens concentration and promotes long-term mental health.
Bird-watching engages the senses–particularly sight and hearing.
Spending time walking outdoors provides a boost of Vitamin D and bolsters bone health.
Cardiovascular health improves with walking. Even short bursts of exercise performed often can improve your health.
Enjoy birdwatching with other people. Share this activity with birding clubs, groups, grandchildren, neighbors, friends, or caregivers and experience the positive energy of interacting with other people around a shared interest.
Consider joining a local private Facebook birdwatching group in which you can participate in safe online discussions about local bird sightings. Intimidated by technology or afraid of getting on Facebook? A caregiver or grandchild can easily get you safely set up and oriented to the group.
Birding trips can be fun! They may be scheduled on the grounds of your assisted living facility, at a local park, or at a location where birding is popular.
Find out what kinds of birds live in your vicinity. Study their diet and the type of feeders and houses they need. You can find books on birding in your local library or research the information on the internet. Make a list of the bird species you want to identify.
Create an outdoor bird-watching area. Install a squirrel-proof bird feeder, add plants, a bird bath, and a bench to create a pleasant area to watch from indoors or outside.
Arrange your furniture with your bed or a chair near the window for the best possible bird-watching experience. Be patient! The birds will come!
It is not necessary to purchase expensive equipment for bird-watching. Start small and enjoy the experience! The following items may be helpful to get started.
Bird watching is an accessible activity for seniors that inspires joy and delight in any season of the year. It produces satisfying feelings of progress and achievement as one is able to identify bird species by sight and call.
Seniors, consider adding bird-watching to your daily or weekly routines. You might be surprised at the enrichment it brings to your life.