With dreary winter weather in the rear view mirror, now is a good time to plan some outdoor activities. For older adults, the arrival of warmer weather can mean everything from walking, gardening, and swimming, to even just sitting outside to soak up the sun. This is especially important for seniors because sunshine is a great source of Vitamin D, which is vital for bone and brain health, and helps with muscle function, too.

We grabbed three ideas for spring outdoor fun from thrive., a senior living health and wellness newsletter.

Get in the garden

Try gardening for a good outdoor activity that comes with multiple benefits. Gardening stimulates all the senses, connects you to nature, relieves stress, and with just a bit of a green thumb, rewards you with fragrant flowers or tasty fruits and vegetables.

If kneeling and weeding are too much for you, try using large pots and flower boxes that are higher off the ground and more accessible. If you don’t have room at home for your own garden, you can search for a nearby shared space at communitygarden.org/ find-a-garden.

Take regular walks

Walking, alone or with friends, is a great way to get outside and exercise. If you’re just starting out, or resuming after an illness or injury, start slow—20 minutes a day at an easy pace—and work your way up to 30 minutes of moderate activity, ideally five to seven days a week.

Explore something new

Spending an afternoon exploring or trying a new activity. If you don’t want to get your hands dirty in the garden, check out your local farmer’s market. To find that perfect piece of décor, peruse some of the flea and antiques markets that pop up in the spring. Enroll in a yoga class; many of them are held outside when the weather is warm. And if you have a dog, head to a near-by park. Some gentle interaction with playful pups, experts say, is not only physically beneficial, but can also lift your mood for the rest of the day.

About thrive.

This article was first captured in the Spring 2017 edition of thrive., a health and wellness newsletter from Blue Plus especially for Platinum Blue^SM members and their caregivers. The Spring 2017 issue, along with past issues, are available at bluecrossmn.com/PlatinumBluethrive.