The Thanksgiving holiday and surrounding weeks and months can be a great time in any community. As the holidays approach, many people are friendlier and there are often plenty of activities to take part in. And while it’s lovely when people plan or do things for you, one of the best ways to imbue your assisted living community lifestyle with holiday spirit is to exude it yourself. Here are a number of ways you can put the thanks into Thanksgiving in your assisted living apartment and throughout the Bethesda Gardens community in Phoenix, AZ.
Your environment can play a big role in your overall mood and health. A cluttered or dark environment can cause some people to feel anxious or depressed, for example, and spending a great deal of time in any space that you don’t enjoy can definitely put a damper on your spirits.
If you enjoy Thanksgiving or autumn in general, adding appropriate seasonal decor to your space can be a wonderful way to add enjoyment. Consider items that won’t bring clutter but will highlight the colors and themes of the season. A fall wreath for your door, a turkey mug for your kitchenette or a small cornucopia to hold fresh fruit for snacking on are all potential ideas.
You can also put your crafting ability to work crocheting a fall lap blanket or embroidering or painting a piece of all art with Thanksgiving elements.
Don’t stay shut up with your decorations all season, though. Get out to enjoy what the season has to offer, which is cooler weather and some gorgeous blue skies. Walk the grounds at Bethesda Gardens with friends and enjoy the feeling of a fall breeze, or sit outside with a warm cup of tea, coffee or cocoa as you enjoy quiet time with God or a long chat with an assisted living neighbor. You can also access the Phoenix Mountain Preserve directly from the community if you want to enjoy a longer walk on a beautiful autumn day.
Look for ways you can incorporate some of the many amenities Bethesda Gardens offers into your seasonal celebrations and activities. First, you can check the activities calendar to see what the staff have scheduled for you to enjoy. From crafts and games to meals and social times, there’s definitely something on the calendar for most personalities.
But you don’t have to wait for Thanksgiving activities to come to you. You can plan your own alone or with friends. See if you can reserve the country kitchen for a group baking session to make pies or other seasonal favorites, or visit the salon to have your hair done before you go visiting family for the holiday. Consider spending an afternoon reading your favorite autumn books in the reading room, or use the computer center to download instructions for a new fall craft.
While you’re celebrating the season, don’t forget to put the thanks into it. A great way to do this is by making time to write personal notes of gratitude to people who have helped you or shown care for you this year. You could write to tell your grand kids, children or other loved ones how grateful you are that they are in your life. You could also send notes of thanks to service providers such as doctors, nurses, pet care pros, and people on the Bethesda Gardens staff. If you get a lot of packages, hand the delivery driver a note of thanks for his or her service, and if you visit the same grocery store regularly and a certain cashier goes above and beyond, make sure they know you’re grateful.
You might also want to record what you’re thankful for to keep for yourself. A gratitude journal or scrapbook lets you keep track of what you appreciate each day. That helps you think as positively as possible about your day and also helps you look back later to see positive trends in your life.
You don’t have to write notes to thank people. Make it a point throughout the month of November to tell at least one person that you’re thankful for what they do or them. Don’t simply say “thanks.” Make it specific: “Thank you, I really appreciate how brightly you smile whenever you greet us in the dining room every day.”
What would Thanksgiving be without food, right? Make some time this season to enjoy good food (in moderation and according to your health needs) and time with family and friends. It can be as lavish as a traditional Thanksgiving dinner or as simple as pie and coffee with friends. What counts is the spirit with which you approach it.
