10 Ways to Maintain Joy and Purpose in Your Senior Years

1. Staying Socially Connected

Staying connected socially is very important; it can combat loneliness and depression. Sometimes, it's easy for seniors to become lonely or depressed when their families aren't around. Thankfully, we live in an age that makes staying connected long distances very easy. If your friends and loved ones live far away, call or video chat with them at least once or twice a week. Video chat is fantastic because it's almost like being in the same room together.

Friends and loved ones live nearby? Get together at least once a week or on the weekends. Have a meal together, go out and do something with family, or get a group of friends together and go for a scenic walk, go bowling, or go to a movie.

Social connections are important at all stages of life, but especially for seniors.

2. Embracing a Healthy Lifestyle

No, this does not mean you have to run five miles a day and eat like a rabbit. However, it is important to develop a healthy lifestyle.

This means eating healthy, balanced meals, such as fruits, vegetables, and lean meat. Drinking more water and less soda, juices, and alcohol. Eating sweets in moderation or on special occasions.

Getting some exercise every day, like going for a walk, a bike ride, or even lifting some light weights if you are just beginning to exercise. If you have been in shape your whole life, hit the gym.

Make sure you get enough sleep. Many seniors I've known are prone to staying up late watching TV and not getting enough sleep. It happens to all of us from time to time. If you're having trouble sleeping, talk to your doctor.

Stay on top of your medications and take them regularly around the same time every day. Also, make sure you visit the doctor at least once a year for a physical. Keeping yourself healthy to the best of your ability will help you live a longer life to enjoy with your loved ones.

Learning new skills - It's never too late to learn something new. What is something you have always wanted to learn how to do? Cook? Build a birdhouse? Garden? Write a book? The possibilities are endless.

You can look for a cooking store that offers cooking classes in your area or see if there is a community garden or a local garden club in your area. Online learning is also a great thing; you can find classes on all kinds of things on the internet. Sites like Udemy and Skillshare are platforms where you can take courses and learn all kinds of things.

3. Daily Bible and Prayer Time

Spending time with the Lord is where our joy should be every day. Wake up before sunrise, make a cup of coffee, and read your Bible and devotion for an hour. Enjoy the quiet hush of the world just before the sun comes up and life perks that all too familiar hustle and bustle that we all know. While enjoying that silence, sit quietly and listen for what the Lord is imparting to you.

Also, spend time in prayer about things that are in your heart pertaining to your own life and friends and family. Praying for our pastors, communities, country, and world is also important.

4. Setting Achievable Goals

Wanting to learn something new goes hand in hand with setting achievable goals. You don't have to learn everything all at once. Break it down into small, achievable goals. Want to run five miles? Start with half a mile, then one, then two, and keep going. Before you know it, you'll be running five miles every day.

Have you always wanted to write a book? Most people do, but they find it too intimidating. Take it step by step. Learn to outline, write a few paragraphs or pages a day, edit only after you're finished writing, and then move on to preparing the manuscript for publication.

I once read an article about the author John Grisham, who wrote his first book when he was still a practicing attorney. He wrote a page a day for an entire year, and when he was done, he finished his book. Now, he's a famous author. Still, that shows that even famous publishing authors take things step by step when writing a book.

Photo credit: ©GettyImages/ Oliver Rossi

5. Prioritizing Health Care

Your health is your biggest asset, so it's important to prioritize it. As mentioned above, choosing a healthy lifestyle is key. Make sure you have your medications and don't run out and see your doctor for a visit every year. Also, if you are facing an issue, don't wait. Schedule an appointment and talk to your doctor about it.

Health isn't just about physical health; your emotional and mental health is important too. These days, you don't have to physically go to an office to talk to a therapist; you can do it online in the comfort of your own home. People going to therapy are more accepted than they were years ago. Keep close tabs on your mental and emotional health, and if there is something amiss, talk to someone about it. Your friends and family want you to take care of yourself so you can be the best you can be.

6. Volunteering

Volunteering is a great way to maintain joy in your life. Helping others makes us happy and the world a better place. Sit down and list your interests, then research organizations in your area where you can get involved.

This could be a homeless shelter, a local cat cafe or animal shelter, the library, or even a children's home. It could be a soup kitchen food bank, or anywhere else that sparks your interest where you can serve others.

Other organizations could include Americorps, Foster Grandparents (offered through The Peace Corps), Habitat for Humanity, the AARP Safe Driver Program, Volunteer World (opportunities to volunteer in art and culture), the Community Alliance for Learning (if you have a way with words), and Musicians on Call (playing for people in the hospital).

7. Staying Active Cognitively

Mental decline is a possibility for all seniors, so staying active cognitively is important. You can help keep your mind sharp by doing old-fashioned crosswords or search-a-word puzzle books. There are also lots of games and apps you can download on your phone to help with mental alertness, like Lumosity, Elevate, Peak, and Fit Brains.

8. Traveling

9. Enjoying the Small Things

Next to prayer and Bible study, this would be a close second. So many of us are so caught up in the hustle and bustle of our day we don't enjoy the small things. Pausing and watching the sunrise in a beautifully painted sky while birds sing in the trees. A hot shower to get you energized in the morning. That first sip of coffee made with the perfect amount of cream and sugar. Waking up with your spouse. Getting your kids out of bed. Walking your dog and truly enjoying their companionship. Stepping outside and observing the surrounding nature before getting into your car and heading to work. These are all little things we take for granted so often in our busy lives. So slow down a few minutes and enjoy it.

10. Enjoying Hobbies

Taking time to enjoy your favorite hobbies is a great way to spend your retirement and keep the joy in your life. Engaging in your favorite hobbies makes you feel more relaxed and at peace.

There are many ways to maintain joy and purpose as a senior. Choose one or two on this list to guarantee more joy and purpose in your life.