A healthy breakfast is important for seniors as it can jump-start their metabolism, increasing the amount of glucose their body burns for energy. Also, healthy breakfast can help decrease food cravings, which can prevent overeating later in the day. If you are a senior and looking for information on creating a healthy breakfast routine, here is a useful read. As one of the best retirement homes in India, we share some of the useful tips on establishing a healthy breakfast routine that you should follow: Tip 1: Plan ahead to eat a balanced breakfast:   Your breakfast should be well planned. However, pre-planning does not mean pre-cutting fruits and vegetables as they can lose their natural properties and become discoloured. Instead, consider pre-planning by preparing a dosa batter or a bowl of overnight oats.  To create a balanced breakfast, three varieties of food groups, such as dairy, protein or fibre-rich foods, and fruits should be included in the diet. These foods provide energy, keeping you full for a longer time. Also, take time to enjoy your breakfast as it helps you relax and unwind. It can help you feel more energised and alert as well. Tip 2: Stay hydrated: When you sleep for six to eight hours a day, your body goes without any water consumption for a long time. To quickly rehydrate your body, it is recommended that you drink two or three glasses of water right when you wake up. To add more hydration, consider including tea or fresh fruit juice in your breakfast. You can also infuse your water with lemon, herbs, or cucumber. Coconut water is a refreshing option for breakfast. It is packed with plenty of nutrients, minerals, and antioxidants.  Tip 3: Try new foods to add variety to your breakfast: You can try fusion foods by taking a traditional dish and giving it a continental twist. For example, the humble chapati can be turned into a taco shell. You can also add leftover veggies or fresh greens to your meal. The fibre in these nutritious additions can provide an added punch to your meal, helping you feel more satisfied and less hungry as the day goes on.  Tip 4: Avoid sugary and processed foods: Consuming high sugar food in the morning can affect your digestive system, leading to discomfort throughout the day. If you have a sweet tooth, add honey or fresh fruits such as mango, strawberries, and grapes to your breakfast routine. Also, avoid processed or canned foods such as canned juice, energy drinks, or protein bars. Instead of relying on processed or canned foods, consider making homemade alternatives. It is important to find a breakfast routine that works best for you. Whether you prefer a bowl filled with fresh fruits and yoghurt, or paratha with a bowl of veggies, it is essential to choose a meal that suits your taste and needs. You can experiment with different breakfast options until you find the one that you enjoy. You can note down how you feel after eating breakfast. Certain foods make you feel happy, whereas others have the opposite effect.  Are you looking for the best retirement homes in India that promote positive ageing? Explore our retirement homes in India that are designed to help seniors enjoy a healthy and happy retirement life. Our retirement communities offer a range of services and amenities such as dining facilities, maintenance and concierge services, gym, yoga classes, swimming pool, and library to help seniors maintain an independent lifestyle and explore new opportunities. To know more about retirement home prices or factors to look for before investing in a retirement home, read this useful guide. To know more about our senior living communities, call us at +918884555554.

Smoothies are a delicious and nutritious way for seniors to boost their daily intake of vitamins, minerals, and fibre. These blended drinks are easy to prepare, customisable, and can be enjoyed as a healthy breakfast and evening snack. As one of the best senior citizen homes in Karnataka, we share with you some of the healthy and delicious smoothies for seniors.  1. Peanut butter banana smoothie: Ingredients: 1 banana 1 tablespoon peanut butter 1/2 cup greek yoghourt 1/2 cup almond milk Instructions: Blend all the ingredients in a blender. If the smoothie is too thick, add more almond milk. Note: For extra sweetness, you can also add a teaspoon of honey or maple syrup.  2. Peach and banana smoothie: Ingredients: 1 cup chopped peaches 1 banana 1/2 cup Greek yoghourt 1/2 cup almond milk Instructions: Blend all the ingredients in a blender. If the consistency of the smoothie is too thick, add more almond milk. 3. Pineapple coconut smoothie: Ingredients: 1 cup chopped pineapple 1/2 cup coconut milk 1/2 cup Greek yoghourt A handful of ice cubes   Instructions: Add all the ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth If the smoothie is too thick, add more coconut milk or water. 4. Carrot smoothie: Ingredients: 1 cup chopped carrots 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. 1/2 cup Greek yoghourt 1/2 cup almond milk. Instructions: Add all the ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. If the smoothie is too thick, add more almond milk.   5. Green smoothie: Ingredients: 1 cup spinach 1/2 avocado. 1 banana. 1/2 cup almond milk Instructions: Add all the ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. If the smoothie is too thick, add more almond milk. Note: You can also add a scoop of protein powder or a tablespoon of chia seeds. 6. Mango smoothie: Ingredients: 1 cup chopped mango 1 banana. 1/2 cup Greek yoghourt 1/2 cup coconut milk Instructions: Add all the ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. If the smoothie is too thick, add more coconut milk. Looking for senior citizen apartments in Bangalore?    If you are looking for senior living communities in Bangalore that promote positive ageing, explore our retirement homes. Our senior citizen apartments are designed to help you enjoy an active and independent retirement. To know more about our retirement homes, call us at +91 8884555554. 

There are many elderly people who struggle to sit still for long. If you are one among them, active meditation may be the right self-healing technique for you. You have all the benefits of meditation without sitting in one place. As one of the best senior living homes in Bangalore, we discuss some useful insights on active meditation: Meditation is not a chore: Anyone who has tried meditation before knows how difficult it can be to sit for long and gather thoughts. When you approach it as a chore, it becomes all the more difficult. It is for this reason that many elderly people are embracing meditation through movement. You can have a mini meditative session whenever you want. The key is to focus on what you are doing and what it feels like. Conscious breathing exercises, mindful walking and yoga are some great ways to still the mind while your body is moving. Active meditation helps to ease stress, improve sleep, and promote positive well-being. Practising active meditation can help you feel calmer and more focused. Reduce anxiety with mindful breathing: On an average, a human being breathes 24,000 times a day. But how many of us are consciously aware of those breaths? Poor breathing practices can lead to a host of health problems. High blood pressure, increased stress levels, suppressed immunity and increased susceptibility to illness are some of them. Taking just a few moments each day to practice deep breathing helps your mind and body to relax and also keeps a host of health problems at bay. If you are new to active meditation, conscious breathing is a great place to start with. You just need to take out 60 to 90 seconds to practise conscious breathing anywhere you want. But this isn’t the only form of active meditation you can do on the move, there are many more that we will discuss further. Mindful walking: Turn your daily walk into an intentional meditation session. To practise walking meditation, all you need to do is take deep breaths and walk. Be mindful of each breath and every step you take. Mindful walking offers many benefits, both physical and psychological. Yoga: Yoga is perhaps the most widely practised form of active meditation. It involves slow breathing that is in sync with the body’s movement. You can combine strengthening and stretching poses with deep breathing and meditation. You can actively meditate no matter where you are. Being more mindful in the moment can help you find enjoyment in even the mundane things in life.

Loneliness can hit seniors particularly hard. Factors like the death of a spouse, children moving away, and poor physical health can make it difficult for seniors to stay connected with others. Here are some facts and insights about loneliness and aging:     Loneliness has a negative impact on physical health: Loneliness is not just an unpleasant experience but it can also significantly affect a senior’s overall health, including their physical health. The feelings of loneliness are associated with an increase in cortisol, a stress hormone.  An increase in this hormone can weaken the immune system.     Loneliness increases the risk of depression: Connecting with others is not just a way of passing time, but it also helps in building strong emotional bonds. Lack of social interaction can often lead to depression. According to a 2016  study, lonely people are more prone to depression. The best way to keep loneliness at bay is by being a part of something that you enjoy doing. Picking up a new hobby or taking part in the community events can help you battle loneliness in a better way.     Loneliness raises the risk of dementia: Similar to the effect loneliness has on physical health, it also affects mental health. Loneliness is linked to a higher risk of dementia. Social isolation imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic has put older adults at greater risk of feeling lonely. To help combat this, our retirement homes at Columbia Pacific Communities are engaging the residents through virtual activities and contests.           To help combat loneliness, senior citizen housing complexes at Columbia Pacific Communities, encourage the residents to socially engage in various activities such as yoga classes, exercises, movie screenings, and workshops. We provide our residents with a supportive and understanding environment where they can socially connect with people their age.  Our wellness team at the community helps residents talk to friends and family through video chats. Our communities also have a multi-purpose hall where one can host birthday parties and dinners.