These Green Ways Can Help Older Adults Take Care Of Self & The Earth

On the month of World Health Day and Earth Day, here’s a list of #gogreen ideas from Silver Talkies.

“A nation that destroys its soils destroys itself. Forests are the lungs of our land, purifying the air and giving fresh strength to our people” rightly said, Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Living the green way not only provides senior citizens a new purpose in their second innings but also brings a plethora of health benefits that one may not be able to imagine. Urban environments often lack access to green spaces due to the proliferation and density of buildings, and a significant number of urban elderly residents have been found to be more vulnerable to mental health issues such as stress and depression compared to the rural elderly population that is more prone to an eco-friendly, green and sustainable way of life, shows the latest study. Going green can encourage physical activity, social interaction and contact with nature reducing psychological stress. Here are some #gogreen ideas that you can try.

Craft a home garden: That’s one of the best ways to keep yourself engaged and close to nature. If you are able to, utilise the space at the front yard, backyard or even the rooftop or your balcony if you have one. Do some research, talk to experts, join a gardening club and adapt the sustainable ways of gardening like mulching, removing the invasive plant species, using homemade fertilisers as recommended by the National Wildlife Federation and grow plants by yourself. Seniors engaging in tilling soil and watering plants are more likely to embrace green living habits. Gardening acts as a low impact physical activity offering moderate aerobic exercise, increasing the production of happy hormones – serotonin and dopamine, decreasing the amount of cortisol – a stress hormone, regulating your mood, giving you quality Vitamin D and making your bone health and immunity stronger.

Want to know some of the valuable home gardening hacks? Join Silver Talkies Social Gardening Club which is exclusive for members of Silver Talkies Social. Not a member yet? Click here to know how to become one.

Eat organic: Nothing is better than having a plate of fresh and organic vegetables and fruits daily for older adults. With growing age, the immunity system grows feeble and processed foods could pose a danger to health. Also, veggies and fruits loaded with harmful chemicals and pesticides are not only threatening to health but also harm the environment. You can find out sources that grow organic vegetables and fruits or grow your own. All you need is the will to eat only organic and adapt #gogreen your way.

Organise a resident-initiated recycling program: If you live in a gated community or a senior living community, this could be a great exercise. Be updated with the latest recycling policies and share recycling tips that all residents can keep in kind. Avoid using products that cannot be recycled, make your own recycled coffee mugs and cans and use them. There are several organizations across cities that collect recyclable items and need volunteers to coordinate collections for them. It’s a great way to use time if you can spare and give back. Getting engaged in such recycling activities and creativity enhances your social engagement and keeps your mental health up to the mark.

Go for tools that would save energy and water: Get tech smart and replace your old light bulbs with energy-efficient and smart devices. Unplug all of your devices including toasters, toaster ovens and any small appliances when they are not being used. Choose high-efficiency showerheads and sink faucet aerators that can help prevent wasteful practices in washrooms and kitchens.

Get sustainable products: Make it a habit to use only sustainable products and reduce your carbon footprint. In return, get a healthy environment to live healthily. Reusable water bottles, paper straws, bamboo toothbrushes and hairbrushes, glass spray bottles, glass storage containers, bamboo dishcloths instead of paper towels, laminated bowl covers instead of plastic wraps, and silicone food bags for snacks and sandwiches are some of the daily things that you can encourage yourself to use for sustainable living and your own well-being.

Have you been leading a sustainable life already or working towards it? Let us know your ideas too and we will add them here. Post in the comments below or email us at connect@silvertalkies.com.