Senior Health Has the Heat Got You Stuck Inside? 8/27/2020 | By Terri L. Jones In late spring, COVID-19 drove many of our activities outside where it was safer to be around people; however, the heat put a stop to all that for many of us. As you await cooler fall temperatures when you can return outside and be around friends again, here are a few productive ways to make good use of your time stuck indoors. Beat the Heat: Make That List! If you always wait until the last minute to send holiday cards – and as a result, sometimes don’t get them out at all – why not get started now? Prepare your card list and make sure you have everyone’s mailing addresses. You can even order your cards now, with plenty of online merchants offering their cards at up to 75 percent off! Take time to write personal notes in the cards, address them and have them ready to pop in the mail when the holiday season rolls around. This year, that card will mean everything to your loved ones! A Life Well-Lived Have you ever wished you knew more about your grandparents’ lives? Don’t leave your own grandchildren in the dark. Now that you have the time, record or write down the story of your life – your hobbies, your funnies memories, your favorite songs and movies, how you met your spouse, etc. – so your grandkids and their grandkids can get to know you better; even after you’re gone. A Place for Everything If you spend hours every year looking for that perfect garland for the banister or the Easter Bunny wreath you bought at the after-holiday sale, now’s the time to organize your decades-worth of holiday decorations. Start by ordering storage containers that fit all your needs. Once they arrive, pull everything out of the attic or closet, spread it all out on the floor, sort and then pack things away in your new tubs, boxes and bags. Knowing where to put your hands on everything – from decorations to wrapping paper – will make the holidays so much easier and less stressful! Long-Lost Relatives Have you ever wondered if you have any relatives whom you didn’t know about? Join one of the online genealogy sites and find Great Aunt Sue, who moved away and lost touch with the family in 1967, or cousin Bob, whose unwed mom gave him up for adoption. In the process, you may learn some interesting – even startling – things about your family! No Time Like the Present What skill have you always wanted to learn? Play chess? Knit a sweater? Tickle the ivories? You can find videos online to teach you all this and more. So, what are you waiting for?! Don’t Neglect the Garden! We’ve got eight ways to keep your plants happy and healthy in the midst of the summer heat. Read More Terri L. Jones Terri L. Jones has been writing educational and informative topics for the senior industry for over ten years, and is a frequent and longtime contributor to Seniors Guide.