Here Comes the Sun: Spring Activities from our 55+ community in Austin

Spring has sprung here at The Continental!

Austin, Texas, is a lively city filled with much to do. That makes it perfect for active seniors…but also a little difficult to choose where to start! So, the experts at The Continental independent living community in Austin, TX is making it easy on you by providing some ideas that include our community activities and things to do around town.

But first things first, it’s hot in the Texas sun! Let’s cover some sun safety:

• Sunscreen: Apply sunscreen about 30 minutes before any outdoor activities, and be sure to use SPF 25 and up because that Texas sun is strong!
• Dress appropriately: To experience a little more nature, we highly recommend this trail right outside the city. It’s an easy 3 mile out and back trail that offers beautiful views of the creek along the way.
• Hydrate: Bring water with you wherever you go! Staying hydrated can help you avoid dehydration and any negative symptoms from heat exposure.

Now back to the fun stuff!

Take a Hike

Hiking and long nature walks are great ways to get out and get in touch with nature! Although Austin is a city, we’re home to a lot of lovely hiking opportunities. So, just hop in the car, bring some water, and head out on your way. Here are some great and easy hikes we recommend, perfect if you’re just picking up hiking!

• Lady Bird Lake Trail: This lakeside trail has a beautiful view of the city. If you’re up for the challenge, you can hike this entire 10-mile loop or just take it easy and hike as far as you’d like.
• Twin Falls and Sculpture Falls (via Barton Creek Greenbelt): Wear a hat and/or sunglasses to shield your face and eyes from harmful UV rays, and cover your shoulders and the back of your neck with a lightweight piece of clothing to avoid sunburn.
• Shoal Creek Greenbelt: This hike is the perfect in-between at 5 miles out and back. Enjoy solitude and nature on this easy, lush green walk!

Or, if you want to get some movement right in the community, join our Walking Club every Monday-Thursday at 8:45 am!

Curl Up With A Good Book

There’s nothing more relaxing than enjoying your favorite book in the sun. Either read within our beautiful community or head to a park to get into some new scenery. We recommend Mueller Lake Park; it has a beautiful lake, picnic area, and a looped walking trail if you need to get up and stretch out for a bit. Not only does reading help improve your brain function, but combining that with some healthy sun exposure also has great health benefits such as better sleep and boosted serotonin, the chemical in our brains that brings us joy!

Bring Yoga or Tai Chi Outside

If you’re an avid yogi or Tai Chi enthusiast, it’s a great idea to bring these relaxing exercises outside. Both of these forms of exercise have amazing health benefits connected to the mind, body, and soul. Amplify these benefits and connect to nature by bringing them outside and into the sun!

For even more ideas for getting outdoors, our residents can join our amazing organized community activities or chat with our staff to get recommendations. We can’t wait to see and hear about what our senior residents are up to this spring at The Continental in Austin, TX.

To learn more about our residency or schedule a tour at The Continental, contact our friendly team today.