by Maria C Collins

Created on: November 19, 2009   Last Updated: December 03, 2009

Winter can be especially difficult as you get older. Wintry weather may keep you indoors more than usual. You may be sad for the long, warm, carefree days of summer. You could allow winter to get you down or you could choose to follow a few simple tips and maybe you might even end up enjoying the winter.

Take care of your general health. If your country provides free 'flu' jabs for pensioners it is worth considering. A healthy, balanced diet will keep your immune system in tip top shape and ensure that you can shrug off winter viruses easily. A little gentle exercise is another way of looking after your general health. If you cannot get out for your usual walk, walk around your house. Put some music on the sound system or gramophone and dance around the living room.

Recent research has shown that singing is not only good for the soul it actually improves our health and sense of well-being. Sing along to some music or think of the songs you sang as a child.

Embrace life, keeping in touch with family and friends, hearing about the grandchildren's latest exploits are all part of life. Watch or listen to the news every day. If you enjoy crosswords and puzzles, do one every day. Keep your brain active, listen to or watch quiz shows and try to answer the questions. Learn something new, you need not take a great long course but have a taster. A new crochet or knitting stitch or a new recipe might be what you want to learn.

Many countries now have The University of The Third Age (U3A), not as scary as it sounds. It is an International self-help group for those no longer working full time and its aim is to provide education and stimulation for retired people. You can learn anything you want to. If you do not want to go to a U3A physical group there is no need to even leave your home as there is an international on line virtual University of the Third Age. Vu3A opened 1st January 2009, providing you can speak English whatever country in the world you're from you can join. vU3A is a charity but there is a small annual charge of twelve pounds sterling membership. You can learn academic subjects or something more fun such as photography, family history, bridge, stamp collecting or crafts. It is nothing like school, group members learn together.

Find a free computer course for older people at your local library and surprise younger family members by appearing on their face book page.

Laugh, after life is very comical. Research shows that laughter relieves stress and protects us from heart attacks.

It may be difficult ,on a fixed income, to give money to charity but there are other ways you can help. Many charities require people to knit or crochet for them or to help out for a few hours at charity shops or other volunteer jobs. Your time is just as valuable to a charity as your money.

Keep reading; everything there is to know in the World is in a book somewhere. Reading expands your horizons, can take you somewhere else for a little while or teach you something you did not know before.

Your age is a number you are not a number but a person. Act your shoe size not your age and enjoy life this winter.

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