It was most pleasing to discover in our last newspaper publication that Sun City/Huntley ranks #5 in popularity among other U.S. senior communities, according to 55Places.com. After viewing The Feeling Great Is Ageless Expo located throughout our Prairie Lodge recently, this ranking probably comes as no surprise to the expo’s participants.
The lifestyle promoted in all phases of “The Del Webb Dream” are further to be found on the web page, Everyday Health, which gives its own 10 suggestions for individuals desirous of gaining their own unique healthy longevity. The website’s suggestions can be applied to full-time and part-time employed seniors, as well as fully retired Sun City/Huntley residents. They can be implemented on the community’s grounds, as well as elsewhere.
1. Just Keep Moving. Whether at work or at play, find something you enjoy doing physically and just do it. Walking can be done almost any place, even while on a work lunch break, while walking your dog, or while strolling or fast-walking one of our very own beautiful hiking paths or neighborhood sidewalks. Employed residents, use your leisure time well so you can participate in the community’s activities too! Our Del Webb location offers an abundance of workout equipment (perhaps your work place has fitness machinery available also). Our clubs also provide individual sports or sports teams. Meadowview Lodge has recently set a new weekday trial opening time of 5:30 a.m. to help those desiring a physical workout before work. Already, a large percentage of working seniors are engaged in activities before and after their workday is completed. Remember exercising the body promotes increased blood flow to the brain. ***Don’t forget to visit Centegra’s Wellness Center when needed. Whether in desire of physical or mental strengthening or both, Del Webb provides something for everyone!
2. Socialize. We have 80 different chartered clubs, various ethnic groups, multitudes of neighborhood functions, phenomenal support groups for challenging health issues, numerous classes, lectures/ seminars, and meeting and hobby rooms that include card game usage, creative arts and performing arts instruction. Sun City/Huntley even has numerous scheduled bus trips to tantalizing locations.
3. Stay involved with your families, not just for baby-sitting.
4. Call on (old and new) friends, for social, mental, or physical engagement, or for all three benefits.
5. Turn to technology to stay in touch. Our Computer Club can help with this factor.
6. Go back to school. Learn new things, online or possibly at a junior college nearby. Challenge yourself by reinventing new career choices for yourself in retirement.
7. Get a pet. “Animals make seniors more socially engaged, less depressed, and less agitated,” according to a review of research on animal therapy published in 2014 in “Current Gerontology and Geriatrics Research.” Let’s not forget the possible physical benefits that one can encounter while caring for a beloved furry member of the family.
8. Play games. This terrific form of mental stimulation can include solving of puzzles and games like Sudoku, playing bridge, or enjoying a number of board games or card games such as scrabble and chess clubs found here at Sun City. Current Events and Symposium Clubs, among other groups, further support the challenging of one’s brain.
9. Make a deeper spiritual connection. This can be done through your place of worship and the support community that goes with it. Even tai chi and yoga classes found here may offer the possibility for mindfulness and meditation to help one’s spirit.
10. Make a difference. Nothing makes a person feel more worthwhile in their later years than volunteerism! It can lift one’s feelings of self-worth without the need for other costly interventions. Sun City has countless opportunities for donating your talents to various committees, whether you are an actively employed or retired senior. Here is a testimonial from one of our fully-employed residents:
Nancy Cihlar, Neighborhood 32B, is presently in management and employed 40 plus hours weekly with United Airlines. In addition to her regular work schedule, Cihlar travels frequently for the airline to international locations. She advises the employed seniors in our community: “You too can find your ‘Del Webb Lifestyle Dream!’ Find a club or hobby you enjoy doing and make it fit into your work schedule.” Cihlar is an active member of the Stingrays Swim Club, holding the position of one of the club’s unelected officers. She finds time to regularly plan swim and other Stingrays outings in which she too can have the opportunity to participate. Currently on a disciplined weight loss regimen, Cihlar plans when possible to hike up and down stairs at work for exercise. Three times weekly, Cihlar can be seen at 6:30 a.m. speed walking three to four miles on the paths around Sun City with her next door neighbor and her two other club social chairladies.
