5 Fall activities for older adults that boost well-being

Fall has officially arrived! Embrace the change in weather and all the beauty and fun it brings with these activities that can boost your well-being.

1.     Go for a walk and enjoy the scenery

Walking has long been considered an ideal form of physical exercise. Some potential benefits include improvements to heart health and physical function, as well as pain reduction. What’s more, walking is accessible, requires no special skills or equipment, poses little risk of injury, and can be done virtually anywhere.

2.     Try a new activity, like Yoga

While most gyms have re-opened, many fitness classes are still being offered virtually, which makes it easier and more accessible to try something new, like yoga. Yoga has many benefits, including the potential to improve health-related quality of life—which takes into consideration physical, mental, emotional, and social functioning and how these areas impact a person’s overall health. For older adults with type 2 diabetes, it can also help manage blood sugar and blood pressure. Yoga is an activity you can enjoy from the comfort of your own home, or outdoors, as it requires minimal equipment and can be adapted, allowing you to work at your own pace and comfort level.

3.     Explore your artistic side

Are you someone who enjoys expressing themselves artistically? The changing scenery provides a perfect opportunity to pull out your paint brushes and create something inspired by the colours of autumn. If painting isn’t your thing, artistic activities like dancing, singing, or creative writing can also have a positive effect on your health and well-being, and help with things like memory, problem-solving and reaction time. 

4.     Get creative in the kitchen

Thanksgiving is coming, and pumpkins are soon-to-be in season! Get creative in the kitchen by trying a new recipe or revisiting an old family recipe. While eating delicious food nourishes the body, the process of preparing (and sharing) meals can improve self-esteem and promote a more positive experience of aging.

5.     Curl up with a good book

Finally, consider indulging in a good book, or joining a book club, virtually. Reading can relieve symptoms related to depression and dementia and is a relaxing activity that can help reduce feelings of isolation.

Create fond memories this fall and unlock potential benefits for your health and well-being by trying out some of these activities. To learn more, read through our resources below.


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DISCLAIMER: These summaries are provided for informational purposes only. They are not a substitute for advice from your own health care professional. The summaries may be reproduced for not-for-profit educational purposes only. Any other uses must be approved by the McMaster Optimal Aging Portal (info@mcmasteroptimalaging.org).

Many of our Blog Posts were written before the COVID-19 pandemic and thus do not necessarily reflect the latest public health recommendations. While the content of new and old blogs identify activities that support optimal aging, it is important to defer to the most current public health recommendations. Some of the activities suggested within these blogs may need to be modified or avoided altogether to comply with changing public health recommendations. To view the latest updates from the Public Health Agency of Canada, please visit their website.