As people age, they tend to sleep less. Also, they tend to wake up in the middle of the night. This not only causes seniors to feel lethargic during the day, it also increases their stress levels. According to a study, not getting adequate sleep can lead to elevated levels of cortisol in the daytime. As one of the leading senior living communities, we share with you a few useful tips to sleep better at night:  Create a sleep routine: A bedtime routine is a set of activities you can perform every night 30 to 60 minutes before you go to bed. You can perform relaxing activities such as taking a warm bath, reading a book, journaling, or listening to soothing music before bedtime. By performing the same activities in the same order every night, the brain comes to see these activities as a precursor to sleep. This can help you sleep more easily. Also, it is important to sleep and wake up at the same time every day. Minimise exposure to light: For better quality sleep, avoid or minimise the amount of light exposure during sleep. Continuous exposure to light can disrupt the circadian rhythm and make it difficult for you to sleep.  Make sure the room is cool: If you have been struggling to sleep during summer months, maybe the temperature is to blame. Sleep is highly regulated by temperature. Hot temperatures make it harder for the body to cool itself. Use air conditioners and fans to keep the room cool. Draw curtains in the daytime to keep rooms cooler during summers.  Give electronics a break: Many seniors hit the bed with their phones watching their favourite shows or scrolling through social media feeds. Many assume that this will help them sleep but it does the exact opposite. According to a study, the blue light emitted by electronic devices trick the brain into thinking it is  daytime, suppressing melatonin production. This can adversely affect the body’s sleep pattern. For better quality sleep, seniors should avoid electronic devices at least 2 hours before bedtime.  Avoid alcohol and caffeine: Intake of alcohol and caffeine can cause seniors to wake up multiple times, reducing their chances of getting deep REM sleep. It has been found that consumption of alcohol and caffeine within 4 hours of bedtime is associated with increased sleep fragmentation.    Looking for premium community living for seniors in India?  As a leading senior living operator, our retirement homes prioritise overall well-being of our residents. At our retirement homes, our residents enjoy modern amenities and senior-friendly services. From hobby clubs and fitness centres to regular health check-ups, our services and amenities are tailored to enhance and support the way seniors want to enjoy their lives. To know more about our services, call us at +91 8884555554.

As 2021 comes to a close, it is time to start focussing on goals and aims for the next twelve months. The best way to create meaningful New Year’s resolutions is to first know what your goals are. As goals are central to keeping you motivated and will affect your behaviour in a positive manner. If your goals are centred around overall wellness, here is a useful read on easy and healthy resolutions that can boost your health and quality of life:    1. Engage in a variety of physical activities:  From yoga and household chores to muscle-building exercises – there are different types of physical activities that seniors can benefit from. In addition to boosting the heart, strengthening muscles, and improving balance and flexibility, regular physical activities can speed up the wound-healing process in seniors.  Note: Always perform a new exercise regimen under the guidance of an expert trainer. Do not exert yourself initially. Introduce one new form of exercise at a time and avoid going overboard.  2. Eat more nutrient-dense foods: Eat smaller meals and eat more nutrient-rich fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and seeds so that your body gets the right nourishment. Start your day right with a healthy breakfast. Something as simple as a bowl of cereal with fresh fruits will give you a solid start to the day. Also, keep an eye on your saturated food intake.  3. Drink more water:  Water not only quenches our thirst, but also boosts cell health, regulates body temperature, and aids the digestive system. If you are not drinking the recommended amount of water per day, use a mobile app for reminders to help you form a habit. You can also add flavour to your drinking water by adding fresh fruits to your water such as lemon, cucumber, and mint.  4. Break a bad habit: One great way to start the new year is to break a bad habit such as smoking, spending hours on the mobile phone, and skipping meals. When breaking a bad habit, always set a realistic goal. Do not write a quick list as you will not be able to break a habit in the first week of 2022. Set short-term and long-term goals for yourself and be more conscious about them.  5. Learn something new: Being intellectually engaged is good for your mental and emotional health. A study found that seniors who engage in hobbies such as quilting or digital photography had more memory improvement than those who did not. This new year, identify your interest areas and learn something new.    Searching for senior citizen homes that prioritise overall wellness?  At Columbia Pacific Communities, we are committed to providing a holistic approach to your physical, spiritual, and emotional wellness. Our senior citizen homes in India are designed to encourage seniors to enjoy their retirement years to the fullest. To book a tour of our retirement homes, call us at +91 8884555554.

Whether it is starting a community garden or using reusable items, there is a lot that you can do to reduce your carbon footprint. Adopting an eco-friendly lifestyle has numerous personal and social benefits. As a leading senior living community operator, we share with you some ideas that will help you get started: Eat food that is produced locally: Eating local food is good for your health as well as the environment. Seasonal fruits and vegetables do not require artificial ripening, making them a better option for your health and environment. Also, eating locally produced fruits and vegetables reduces food miles. The term ‘food miles’ refers to the distance between the place where the food is produced and the place where it is consumed. The more the food miles, the greater the carbon emissions due to storage, refrigeration, and transportation. Walk to run errands: When running short-distance errands, do not drive your car. Instead, walk your errands. It is good for the environment as well as your physical health. However, make sure that you do not overexert yourself. Reduce wastage: When buying fruits and vegetables, carry your own shopping bag to reduce the consumption of plastic. Buy sustainable products: Instead of buying products made of plastic, buy products in reusable steel bottles, bamboo straws, glass storage containers. Use reusable dishcloths instead of paper towels. Up your recycling game: Before throwing away things, ask yourself if they can be reused or recycled. Instead of throwing away old clothes and shoes, donate them to local charities. Send old electronic items to electronic shops that have recycling facilities. Adopt a paper-free lifestyle: Take printouts only when needed. Try paying bills online. Access bills and bank statements online. In case you need to file, either download it on your phone or take a screenshot of it. Switch off electrical appliances when not in use: Though it seems like the most basic advice, leaving your electrical appliances on standby can increase your electricity consumption. Unplug electrical devices when not in use. Also, insulate your home so that you can reduce your energy consumption on heating and cooling. Encourage composting: Composting is an easy process that takes plant and kitchen waste and turns them into food for plants. This reduces the amount of waste that ends up in a landfill. Start a small garden: Start with a small garden, this way you can have home-grown vegetables and flowers. You can also make compost for them at home. Use eco-friendly personal care products: Cleansers, conditioners, soaps, and other personal care products contain various chemicals that are washed down the drain and end up in groundwater. Use eco-friendly products that do not contain toxic chemicals that are harmful to the environment. Use water efficiently: Use highly efficient taps in the bathrooms and kitchens to reduce water waste. You can also use flow restrictors. Also, be mindful of turning off the tap water while shaving or brushing your teeth.    Seniors are paying more attention to green practices. This includes searching for senior living communities promoting an eco-friendly lifestyle. For example, they prefer moving to retirement homes that have battery-operated cars for residents to travel easily within the community. Are you considering moving to a senior living community?  As India’s leading senior living community operator, we offer premium community living spaces for independent seniors. Our retirement homes have senior-friendly villas, apartments, and row houses across south India. To know more about our senior citizen homes and the services that we offer, call us at +91 8884555554.

“Reading gives us someplace to go when we have to stay where we are.” ― Mason Cooley With people travelling less for different reasons, many are seeking different ways to experience faraway places. And reading travel books is a great way to scratch the travel itch while remaining indoors. As one of the leading  senior citizen homes in India, we share with you 5 armchair travel books that will set you around the world:    1. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho: The book has a shepherd as a protagonist who travels from Spain to the Egyptian desert in search of a treasure. The book befittingly shows that the journey is more important than the destination.  It beautifully captures the journey of the protagonist and his realisation that the real treasure is all about pursuing one’s dreams. Filled with inspirational quotes such as “When you really want something, the whole universe conspires in helping you to achieve it” and “One is loved because one is loved. No reason is needed for loving” – the book is ideal for those who love travelling, adventure, and courage.    2. Unlikely Destinations: The Lonely Planet Story by Tony Wheeler and Maureen Wheeler: Whether you are planning to travel to London or a faraway exotic location, if there is one travel guide that helps you with useful information, it is a Lonely Planet Guide. This book tells you the story behind how Lonely Planet Publications became the world’s largest independent guidebook publisher. Authors share amusing and funny anecdotes from their travelling experience. Though it is not a conventional travel book, it is engaging and has a few interesting lessons on building a bootstrapped business.    3. Less  by Andrew Sean Greer: The Pulitzer Prize winning book, Less is a quirky and funny novel. The book’s eponymous protagonist, Arthur Less, goes on a madcap global adventure in a bid to avoid attending a wedding. This hilarious novel is not just a travelogue where you follow the character around the globe, but it is also an exploration of a myriad emotions.    4. Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert: The book will take you on a journey that you will never forget. Written in a delightfully witty manner, this book touches many emotions without going overboard. Though it is a memoir of travel and personal discovery in Italy, Indonesia, and India, the book has inspired many to travel and rediscover themselves. An enjoyable read, the travel memoir has some interesting quotes on life and spirituality.  Regarding spirituality, Gilbert writes, “We do not realize that, somewhere within us all, there does exist a supreme self who is eternally at peace.” On life, she says, “You were given life; it is your duty (and also your entitlement as a human being) to find something beautiful within life, no matter how slight.”    5. Vagabonding by Rolf Potts: A tad different from other travel books, this amazing book delves into long-term travel.  The author, who spent 10 years on the road, shares valuable insights and practical information on how to discover and experience the world. It has practical tips on planning life on the road and saving money while achieving the dream of travelling around the world.    For more book recommendations for seniors, watch this space.  People who read every day are constantly learning new things. As a leading senior living community operator, we understand the importance of reading for seniors. All our communities have a well-stocked library and our residents cherish the time they spend amidst books. To know more about our senior citizen homes and services, call us at +91 8884555554.

For many seniors, retirement represents an opportunity to pursue long-held hobbies they never had time to fully explore. As one of the leading senior citizen homes in India, we have curated a list of 10 fun classes that seniors can take after retirement. All these classes can be taken in person or online.   Learn a foreign language: Learning a new language is fun at any age. Attending language classes can help you meet new people and learn about new cultures and customs.  Dance class: Dance classes are a great way to get your daily dose of cardio workout while you move and groove to your favourite music. From Classical, Ballet and Kathak, to Zumba —- there is a wide range of dance forms that you can start learning.  Gardening classes: Whether you want to start your own kitchen garden or have a few pots on the balcony, learning gardening can be fun. There are many online gardening classes that help you understand the basics of gardening techniques and garden layout.  Painting classes: Do you like to paint or want to take up painting as a hobby? You can enroll in painting classes to learn fabric painting, glass painting, freehand sketching, and block painting.   Learn photography: Whether you want to learn the fundamentals of photography or want to hone your existing skills, there are several online and offline classes you can take. These classes can help you learn useful tips and tricks to make your photos stand out.  Writing class: Writing can be a great creative outlet for seniors. Whether you want to start a blog or write a novel, a writing class is a great place to start with.  Learn a craft: Whether it’s knitting, woodwork, pottery or quilting, learning a new craft can help you find a hidden talent.  Music lessons: There is no age to learn music. Whether you want to take up vocal music or learn to play a musical instrument, it is never too late either to pick up the thread where you left or start all over again.  Acting lessons: If you love to act, taking an acting lesson is a great opportunity to learn from experienced actors.  Computer classes: Whether you want to stay in touch with your family and friends via social media or just want to learn how to navigate your laptop or computer for day-to-day activities, a computer class is a great way to keep abreast with the latest technologies.  As a leading senior living community operator, we make sure that our retirement homes in India are perfect for seniors who are looking to make the most of their retirement years. Daily chores of our residents are handled by a team of professionals, so our residents can do more of what they love. It could be arts and crafts, playing or attending morning yoga classes, or going on excursions. To know more about our retirement homes, call us at  +91 8884555554.