Seniors living in Kansas have access to many activities that can contribute to a higher quality of life for them. Visit local farmers' markets and sample high-quality foods, walk and exercise while enjoying the great outdoors or spend time mentoring. Whether you have lived in the state for years or you are just visiting, you can benefit from what Kansas has to offer in the way of healthy living.
Food and Dining
There are countless farmers' markets and roadside stands that sell fresh, locally grown produce, honey and herbs. Spend an afternoon at an establishment like Hays Area Farmers' Market, in Hays, and choose from a variety of seasonal fruits and vegetables to add nutrition and robust flavor to your daily meals. Gather with friends for an afternoon at one of the healthy restaurants in Kansas City. Eden Alley Cafe is located in the Country Club Plaza area and serves vegetarian and organic dishes.
Outdoor Recreation
Get outdoors and enjoy sunshine and fresh air in the state and local parks. Although Kansas has four distinct seasons, warm summers and very cold winters, the day to day weather in Kansas is highly changeable. It is a good practice to check weather forecasts before planning outdoor activities. According to the website Infozine, Kansas state parks offer fishing, swimming, boating and year-round events. Enjoy walks along nature trails and capture photographs of wildlife and flora along the way. Visit one of the diverse botanical gardens and arboretums.
Physical Activity
Senior centers throughout Kansas offer traditional activities such as bingo night but places like Senior Services, Inc. of Wichita also offer physical fitness and health-related activities such as yoga and aerobics classes. Consider taking these types of classes or even a tai chi class, which is specifically designed to help you reduce stress and anxiety. Center States Tai Chi Chuan, in Kansas City, has provided private and group instruction since 1980. Keep in mind that participants in many senior-centered programs must be 55 years and older.
Indoor Attractions
Sign up for an Art Walk and take a leisurely-paced stroll through galleries across the state. These tours give you the chance to see some of Kansas's best artwork and stay active at the same time. The Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art is the largest contemporary art museum in the state and is located on the campus of Johnson County Community College in Overland Park. Check with other colleges and universities to get information on their must-see art galleries.
Brain Workouts
Sign up for a computer class at a local library or senior center in Kansas and keep your mind active and in good shape. Start a board game club in your home and meet weekly or otherwise with friends and family. Why not volunteer time at an elementary school as a reading or math mentor. YouthFriends, in the Greater Kansas City area, needs volunteers to spend as little as one hour mentoring kids in school. You can read to a child or class, have a healthy lunch with them, tutor or share some of your special skills and talents with a group or class of students.
