Combat Winter Boredom Indoors
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
AN ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF ROUTINE SCREENING FOR HIV IN PEOPLE OVER AGE 55
Ahmed Bayoumi, MD
Scientist in the Keenan Research Centre of the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute of St. Michael’s Hospital; Program Director, Clinical Epidemiology and Health Care Research Program, Dept. of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation; Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto;
Assistant Professor, Departments of Medicine and Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto
Many seniors see their years after retirement as an opportunity to grow academically. Learn more about the educational opportunities available to seniors and older adults on www.seniorservicedirectory.com.
The cold winter months can force us indoors, but that doesn't mean that we have to be bored and inactive. Many seniors are looking for ways to keep busy, intellectually or physically, during the winter season. Here are a few fun ways to keep yourself active while you're 'trapped' inside where it's warm:
- Learn a new art technique such as knitting, painting, sketching, flower arrangement creation, or homemade jewellery.
- Make your own Valentine's Day cards for friends, family and special loved ones. You could create humorous cards using an easy design program on the computer, or pull out the macaroni from your cupboard and do some old fashion arts and crafts.
- Sign up for computer classes where you'll learn to surf the net and stay social online with other seniors just like yourself. You can learn to use a computer with confidence with online tutorials, in-home teachers, or classes through an institution. With the power of the internet, you can educate yourself about anything that interests you on a world-wide scale! Or, stick with the fun part and play exciting games online.
- Maybe you've always wanted to learn how to play a musical instrument. What better time to learn than during the months where you prefer to stay inside?
- Invest in a handheld pocket game system that lets you play Yahtzee, Jumble or Solitaire.
- Get into a popular TV series on DVD. There are so many shows available for rent or purchase on DVD that you may have missed while they aired live on TV - now could be your chance to catch up!
- Learn a new form of exercise or hobby of interest on DVD. There are many educational discs available to perform Yoga and Pilates in your home, or you can learn about gardening, woodworking or birdwatching for next summer.
- Do a classic jigsaw puzzle of your favourite nature scene.
- Read a book or catch up on your magazine subscriptions.
Be creative and don't let boredom get the better of you. Take advantage of the indoors by doing something you've wanted to do for ages, but haven't had a chance to get around to it yet. Have fun with it! Summer will be back before you know it.
