Unlocking The Joy of Travel and The Outdoors This New Year

Our theme so far has been to give you ideas on how to interact with your senior loved ones creatively, based on our "new normal". Many of us have been spending more time at home these past two years and could benefit from moments where we feel like we have an escape from the monotony of life these days.
Remember going on trips, near and far, as a means of breaking free from the daily grind?
How long has it been since you watched a nature documentary and felt a sense of serenity?
Does being surrounded by nature calm your mind?
This Newsletter will provide you with some tips on enjoying nature for every age. There are many ways to appreciate the outdoors in unique and healing ways.

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Virtual Nature Walk

Choosing to experience moments of peace, calm and a break from the noise of our world is often a difficult choice. I liken it unto making time to pray, or meditate, or journal. It's taking some down time to allow ourselves to take a deep breathe. For those who want to experience this sense of peace in the comfort of their own home we suggest a virtual nature walk. These virtual walks can take you around the world and bring the joy of travel and relaxation straight to you. These videos can bring a sense of ease no matter where you are. Many of these videos can be found online and a great one to start with is linked below.

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DIY BIRD FEEDER

Get interactive and creative by making something that will bring the nature to you. This craft is fun for all ages and will have you peaking outside to see what birds are outside your window each day.

We're planning to make these for Valentine's Day with Ava as gifts for the seniors in her life. This will tap into our creativity as well as our love for nature and we can't wait to spread this joy to many!
Click here to for instructions and enjoy!

Picture credit: ​https://www.goodto.com/

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Sensory Outdoor Scavenger Hunt

Next time you do go for a walk, make an adventure out of it. It can be something as simple as noticing a flower that brings you joy or seeing what insects the area attracts. Whatever is doable for your walk, take the time to hone in on your senses. What do you smell? What do you hear? What can you touch? As ordinary as these may sound, focusing on these senses can bring peace and relaxation.
Little Ava loves going to the park and it is so refreshing to look at nature through the eyes of a child. She notices so many things that I would have normally not looked twice at, yet now I am appreciating this with new eyes.
Below is a scavenger hunt to take with you on your next walk.

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Armchair Travels

Watch a travel documentary to a familiar or new vacation destination and order take out that provides the cuisine that complements your travels.
For me (Heather), I enjoy watching 'Somebody Feed Phil' on Netflix. It follows Phil, the creator of the show 'Everybody Love Raymond' around the world, as he discovers delicious cuisines and experiences the culture of each destination. He is an average joe when it comes to food and you can absolutely relate to him as he tries some very adventurous food that the world has to offer. Watching it always makes me hungry so pairing the show with food from that destination makes the show that much more immersive and intriguing.

Picture credit: ​https://www.powells.com/

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We hope these activities bring you a unique sense of calm and peace that only nature and the outdoors can!