Aloha & Happy Friday!

On our episode today, we are going to talk about successful aging in the time of COVID-19!

The COVID-19 pandemic poses a great challenge for older people both in terms of the severity of the disease and the negative consequences of social distancing. Why combine positive aging and gardening? Because it's time to get our hands dirty again!

Gardening promotes psychosocial and physical functioning and therefore enhances the quality of life. Gardening participation provides important occupation and activity engagement. Gardening groups offer a context for social interaction and collaboration, which may be particularly important for socially isolated older adults.

Gardening involves planning, planting, watering, and nurturing outdoor ornamental plants, shrubs or fruit plants in a garden, or in pots or containers, but also passive engagement such as wandering through gardens, relaxing in or viewing gardens, and active engagement, such as cultivating plants, mowing lawns, weeding and raking.

Having positive attitudes towards aging creates resilience to health. Having positive self-perceptions of your own aging is an indicator of your well-being. Possessing a positive attitude toward aging will tremendously help your mental health and social engagement!