Four Health Benefits of Spending Time Outdoors for Seniors

There is something restorative about stepping outside. Fresh air, natural surroundings and opportunities to move can support physical health, mental well-being and social connection, all important parts of healthy aging.

At Meadow Ridge, getting outdoors can be as simple as taking a morning walk along a wooded trail, tending a garden, playing pickleball or relaxing beside the pond. With 136 scenic acres in Redding, Connecticut, residents have many ways to make nature and outdoor activity part of everyday life.

How Spending Time Outdoors Supports Healthy Aging

Research continues to point to the connection between nature, physical activity and overall well-being. Regular movement can help older adults maintain strength and mobility, support cardiovascular and brain health and reduce the risk of many chronic conditions. In fact, researchers at the National Institute on Aging have found that you can dramatically lower your risk of chronic disease simply by increasing the number of steps you take per day.

Together, these benefits make spending time outdoors a simple yet powerful part of healthy aging.

Read on to learn 4 ways that nature can support your health and well-being.

1. Supports Physical and Brain Health

Walking is one of the simplest ways to add more movement to your day. At Meadow Ridge, residents do not have to travel far to get started. Walking, hiking and biking trails wind throughout the expansive campus, making it easy to enjoy the changing seasons while getting some exercise. As a pet-friendly community, residents can also play catch with a four-legged friend at the Bark Ridge Dog Park.

Regular physical activity can help strengthen muscles and bones, support cardiovascular health and improve balance and coordination. Beyond the physical benefits, movement is also important for brain health and is associated with a lower risk of cognitive decline.

The important thing is not reaching a particular number of steps. It’s finding safe, enjoyable ways to move more often.

2. Improves Mood and Well-Being

A walk through the woods, a quiet moment beside the water or an afternoon spent gardening can offer more than a change of scenery. Research has linked exposure to nature to reduced stress and improved mood and overall well-being.

Meadow Ridge residents can relax beside the woodland pond and gazebo, explore the walking trails, spend time in one of three courtyards or simply find a favorite outdoor spot to enjoy the view.

These everyday opportunities make connecting with nature less of an occasional outing and more a natural part of daily life.

3. Encourages Social Connection

Just as importantly, spending time outside in nature can bring people together.

Outdoor recreation at Meadow Ridge ranges from tennis and pickleball to bocce and croquet. Residents can meet a friend for a walk, enjoy friendly competition on the courts, tend a garden together or participate in one of the many resident programs and activities offered throughout the year.

These shared experiences matter. Staying socially engaged is an important part of healthy aging and can help reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation while creating a greater sense of belonging.

4. Builds Strength, Balance and Mobility

Outdoor activities do not have to be strenuous to be beneficial. Walking, gardening and recreational sports can all help incorporate movement into the day.

Current physical activity guidelines recommend that adults 65 and older work toward at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week, along with muscle-strengthening activities at least two days a week and activities that improve balance.

The best activity is often one you enjoy enough to keep doing. Meadow Ridge residents can choose from walking and hiking, pickleball, tennis, bocce, croquet and the putting green and chipping area. Fitness and wellness opportunities are also available indoors when the weather does not cooperate.

Outdoor Activities for Seniors at Meadow Ridge

One of the benefits of living on a sprawling campus is having many ways to enjoy the outdoors right outside your door. Whether you prefer an active afternoon or a quiet moment surrounded by nature, there is no single way to enjoy getting outside.

Here are a few ways residents can enjoy the outdoors at Meadow Ridge:

• Walk, hike or bike the trails. Wooded walking, hiking and biking trails offer opportunities to exercise, explore the campus or simply enjoy a change of scenery.
• Spend time in the garden. Outdoor resident gardens with raised beds and a potting shed give residents the opportunity to put their green thumbs to work. Gardening provides light physical activity while offering the satisfaction of planting, tending and watching something grow.
• Visit The Farm. Meadow Ridge’s working campus farm creates another connection between residents, the land and the community’s farm-to-table philosophy.
• Go birdwatching. More than 50 bird species have been spotted on and around the Meadow Ridge campus. Residents can bring binoculars along for a walk or find a comfortable place to sit and watch for native and migrating species. Explore Meadow Ridge’s birdwatching guide to learn more.
• Play pickleball or tennis. Outdoor courts make it easy to combine exercise with friendly competition while enjoying fresh air.
• Enjoy bocce or croquet. These classic outdoor games combine light movement, coordination and plenty of opportunities to socialize.
• Practice your short game. Residents can head to the putting green and chipping area to practice their swing while enjoying time outside.
• Bring your four-legged friend. Dogs can get their outdoor time too. Residents can stroll the wooded trails with their pets or visit Bark Ridge Dog Park and other pet-friendly amenities for exercise and socialization.

Outdoor Activity for All Abilities

Mobility may change with age, but that does not mean spending time outdoors has to stop. The key is finding activities that match your interests, comfort level and abilities.

For some, that might mean a longer walk or a game of pickleball. For others, it could be tending plants, enjoying the pond, birdwatching or spending time outdoors with friends.

Meadow Ridge’s fitness and wellness programs can also help residents continue moving in ways that work for them. Fitness Manager Jaime Silverman oversees health assessments and personalized exercise programs, teaches group exercise classes and supports residents in pursuing their individual fitness goals.

When New England weather makes outdoor exercise less appealing, residents can keep moving in the 24/7 fitness center, heated indoor saltwater pool or through a variety of activities and programs, including aquatic exercise, yoga, tai chi, Pilates, balance and strength classes.

Step Outside at Meadow Ridge

At Meadow Ridge, nature is never far from daily life. With so many ways to enjoy the outdoors, residents can stay active, connected and engaged while making the most of Redding, Connecticut’s beautiful surroundings.