Joy of Movement, Singing, and Creative Expression - KYN Expert Advice for a Fresh Start

As the cold winter days give way to the gentle warmth of spring, it is a perfect time to embrace a fresh start and engage in activities that nourish your soul and promote inner wellbeing. Jessica Shiel, the Head of Life Enrichment & Wellbeing at KYN, offers her expert advice to nurture your overall wellbeing and cultivate healthy habits, fostering agility at any age.

1.     Just dance: One of the most enjoyable ways to stay active is through dancing. Not only does it provide a chance to socialise and reminisce with your favourite songs, but it also allows you to connect with others. Dancing is a fitness solution that won't feel overwhelmingly labour-intensive like traditional gym workouts, and it can be adapted to your unique abilities. This engaging activity is an excellent way for you to enhance your strength and confidence gradually. Increasingly there are now dance classes designed specifically for those over 65, catering to both seasoned dancers and those who are new to the dance floor. In fact, recent research by KYN has revealed that contrary to younger beliefs, idividuals over 70 are twice as likely to count exercise as one of their interests compared to knitting, with more than half of those aged 70 and above taking some form of exercise every single day.

2.     Sing your heart out: Singing has the power to unite people and can have a positive impact on both mental and physical health. When you sing, your body releases endorphins and oxytocin, which can help reduce stress and anxiety levels. Furthermore, singing can strengthen major muscle groups in your upper body, making it a great exercise option for individuals with COPD and those who experience shortness of breath. It’s essential for anyone with breathing issues or COPD to do so under supervision and following approval from a medical practitioner. Don't forget that you can start singing regardless of your location; singing is accessible to you through online singing groups.

3.     Be creative: Engaging in creative activities is a great way to support mental health and improve overall wellbeing. Creative workshops offer the opportunity for self-reflection, relaxation, and self-expression. These activities can be immersive and transportive, which can help reduce anxiety, improve mood, and over time, increase self-confidence and resilience. In addition to supporting emotional wellbeing, creative activities also provide physical benefits such as enhanced muscle coordination, increased blood circulation, and improved agility. There are many ways to get creative, from painting, collage and calligraphy and printmaking, which can be adapted to suit any ability. These activities can also help you with grip and dexterity and inspire you to try something new. Simple, tactile, and fun activities like woodblock printing or clay modelling can be particularly great for people living with dementia, and even if you prefer not to participate, you can still enjoy the social aspect of watching others.

4.     Drop in activity: If you are nervous about investing in a new creative activity, try attending a drop-in arts session at a nearby museum or gallery. This is also an excellent opportunity to socialise and connect with others. If that is not an option for you, look into one of the many crafts and art kits available to try at home.

5.     Socialise as much as possible: Find opportunities to meet and connect with your local community. There are numerous community interest groups and projects out there, and it is just a matter of finding the right one for you. Council websites are often a good starting point to find these. If you are interested in exploring arts and culture, many museums and galleries have fantastic free outreach programs that offer evening openings and weekend events, providing another great way to meet like-minded people.

6.     Movement and music: Movement classes can improve balance, strength, posture, coordination, and reaction time, which can boost your overall confidence. Classes can be undertaken seated or standing, depending on ability. Activities like pilates, yoga, tennis, and golf can be adapted to suit your individual needs and can be performed while seated.

7.     Test yourself: Engaging in brain-training games, puzzles, and quizzes can help you to support brain function, improve communication skills and uplift mood which, in turn, can build the confidence to explore new interests and foster a sense of purpose. These benefits can be significantly amplified when the activities are done within a group social setting.