Our Seniors Are Beating the Winter Blues

Our seniors are beating the winter blues at Shannondale. Winter is a time of cozy fires, warm socks, and hot cocoa, but the colder weather and shorter days can also cause feelings of sadness. It’s not uncommon to feel tired, down, sluggish or unmotivated. Our mental health often needs some attention during this time of the year. There are many ways to improve our moods and feel happier this winter. Here at Shannondale, our seniors beat the winter blues in the following ways:

Activities

Group activities provide a chance to socialize, enjoy company and have fun. The staff at Shannondale plans many exciting events for residents to participate in. This past holiday season, residents at The Lodge enjoyed a snowman-themed painting class. They learned how to paint snowmen and created their very own painting.

Amenities

Another way our seniors are beating the winter blues is by taking advantage of the amenities at Shannondale. All of Shannondale’s Circles of Care provide helpful amenities. Independent Living residents have access to an indoor pool and fitness programs, and the Health Care Center offers a beauty and barber salon. Assisted Living residents have weekly chapel services, a beauty and barber salon and a sunroom for reading, socializing or relaxing. The Lodge has a Fitness Center, an indoor pool and jacuzzi, a full-service salon and a library (just to name a few). These resources give residents fun things to do that can help boost their mood. A full list of amenities for all Circles of Care is available on our website.

Excursions

A change of scenery is a great way to get your spirits up. Residents can leave their home for a little while when Shannondale’s staff plans quick trips to fun areas. They recently took a trip to Cades Cove to enjoy some fresh air in the Smoky Mountains.

Sunlight

Daylight exposure is one of the most effective remedies for winter blues. Sunlight can improve the body’s circadian rhythm and boost serotonin levels. Seniors at Shannondale love spending time outside and greatly benefit from spending just a few hours a day in the sun.

Share a Smile Campaign

Shannondale launched the Share a Smile campaign during the pandemic to improve residents’ moods and put smiles on their faces. Members of the surrounding communities were encouraged to send cards or make videos or social posts to send positive messages to seniors. Also, through the Share a Smile project, Shannondale’s staff brightened peoples’ days with dress-up themes such as Tie-Dye Day or Crazy Hat Day. To read more about this campaign here: Share a Smile - Shannondale Retirement Homes (shannondaletn.com)

Walking With Joy

Advanced Loss and Grief Recovery Specialist Joy Gaertner has dedicated her time to helping people who are going through difficult times and in need of a reminder that life can be joyful again. In this video, Joy shares ways to work toward handling grief.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StfAZO9rm1c More information about Joy and her teachings, workshops and services can be found here: Home - Walking With Joy.

To learn more about Shannondale, click here:shannondaletn.com