“You have to grow from the inside out. None can teach you, none can make you spiritual. There is no other teacher but your own soul.”  ― Swami Vivekananda   There are many factors that help one enjoy a happier and longer life. Some of the important factors include staying physically active, eating healthy, having a strong social network, and following spiritual practices. Here we discuss spiritual practices and their physical and emotional benefits. According to studies, spiritual practices can boost the psychological well-being of a person. Also, it  has been found that there is a positive association of spirituality and health-related behaviours. As one of the leading retirement communities in Bangalore we share some useful insights on spiritual wellness:    1. Why do seniors seek spiritual wellness?  There are many reasons seniors become more spiritual as they grow older. Spiritual practices provide seniors opportunities to reflect on their lives. Moreover, with age, experience, and wisdom, seniors start realising that life is ephemeral and, thus, they look for purpose through spirituality.  2. Benefits of spiritual wellness:    Spiritual wellness promotes positive emotions and thoughts, such as hope, love, compassion for others and oneself, and forgiveness. It has been found that  spiritual experiences help older adults cope with stressful situations. Spiritual practices help seniors deal with negative emotions, such as depression, chronic anger, fear, and low self-esteem.    3. Boosting spiritual wellness:    Spiritual wellness is an individual experience. There are many activities that can help seniors get started on their spiritual journey and some of them are:  Deep breathing  Practicing gratitude Practicing creativity Connecting with family and friends Pursue hobbies  Spend time amidst nature Looking for retirement homes in Whitefield, Bangalore?    Explore our retirement communities in Bangalore where active seniors can enjoy a worry – free lifestyle and pursue interests and hobbies that make them happy. The retirement community will have a fitness centre, spa, swimming pool, rooftop bistro, club and banquet hall – there will be enough space to entertain and enjoy yourself.  Fill in the form for a live one-on-one virtual tour.  

It is natural for seniors to feel tired now and then. However, if they have been feeling tired for weeks, they may be suffering from fatigue. Fatigue is a kind of deep exhaustion that adversely affects a person’s ability to perform daily life functions. Understanding fatigue, its symptoms and causes can help seniors take steps to address the issue. As one of the leading retirement communities in Bangalore, we share with you information on fatigue and when seniors should see a doctor:  1. Fatigue is more than just feeling tired: Fatigue is profound exhaustion that interferes with daily activities. There are different types of fatigue such as:  Transient fatigue: This kind of fatigue lasts over a few days. Transient fatigue is temporary as it is often brought upon by stressful situations such as moving to a new place, preparing for an event or relationship issues.  Cumulative fatigue: Chronic conditions and ongoing circumstances cause this type of fatigue. Circadian fatigue: This type often results from disruption in the circadian rhythm which is also known as the body’s biological clock. When seniors do not get adequate amount of sleep, they tend to feel tired and experience a dip in alertness. 2. Signs of fatigue: Fatigue can cause a wide range of symptoms. When seniors have an existing illness, diagnosis of fatigue can be difficult. Here are some of the symptoms of fatigue:  Lack of motivation Sore muscles Headache Gastrointestinal problems  Sleepiness  Irritability Poor concentration 3. Ailments that can cause fatigue: There are many health conditions that may cause fatigue in seniors. Here are a few of the common conditions that cause fatigue in seniors: Anaemia Anxiety Concussion Cancer Depression Diabetes Heart diseases  Obesity Pneumonia Stress 4. When to see a doctor: Seniors should consult a medical professional if they notice signs of extreme exhaustion or disorientation for over two weeks. A medical professional can help understand what is causing fatigue and what can be done to address the problem.  5. Treatment for fatigue: If the fatigue is related to a health condition, treatment for the condition may improve energy levels. The doctor may also recommend lifestyle changes if that is contributing to fatigue.   Looking for retirement homes in Whitefield, Bangalore?  Explore The Virtuoso, Budigere Cross, Bangalore, India’s first independent senior living community designed to international standards. The community is ideal for seniors seeking serenity amidst city life. We offer an array of unmatched senior-friendly amenities such as a swimming pool, spa, rooftop barbeque area, multi-purpose hall, and a business centre. To know more about our senior living community in Bangalore, book a virtual tour. You can also call us at +91 8884555554.

There are different reasons why colouring has become a popular hobby with seniors. Many are turning towards colouring for the benefits it offers. From being a great creative outlet and encouraging mindfulness to relieving stress – there is a pile of evidence showing the psychological and physiological benefits of colouring for seniors.     If you are toying with the idea of taking up colouring as a hobby after retirement, here are some of the benefits of colouring.  1. Improve motor skills:    Using coloured pens and pencils is not just fun for seniors but it also improves their hand-eye coordination. Motor performance often declines with ageing. When seniors colour, they exercise their ageing hands and fingers which in turn improves their grip strength and dexterity.  2. Good workout for the brain    It has been found that creative art can slow down cognitive decline. Colouring activates different areas of our two cerebral hemispheres responsible for creativity and logic. The creative part of the brain selects the colours, patterns while the other part of the brain controls the hand-eye movement.  3. Reduces stress and anxiety   Colouring helps in reducing the thoughts of a restless mind, thus relaxing the brain. By allowing the mind to focus on colours and patterns, colouring induces the same state as meditating. Also, colouring is a great activity to indulge in before you go to sleep as it can lower stress and improve sleep.  4. It is a great social activity    Some seniors enjoy organising a colouring party with their friends while others join online groups. Also, colouring can be done with friends, grandchildren, and other family members. Colouring with likeminded people would help seniors socialise and build connections.  5. Encourages self-expression :    Most seniors have the potential to be creative. However, sometimes their imaginations are held back by social expectations. For seniors who want to experiment with their own ideas and expressions, colouring gives them a creative outlet.    Pursuing hobbies such as colouring, sketching, and dancing after retirement is good for the overall well-being of seniors. At our senior living communities, we organise art workshops and classes where seniors can discover their creative selves.    Looking for retirement communities in Bangalore? If you are searching for a vibrant and welcoming community, explore our retirement homes in Bangalore. Our great selection of senior-friendly apartments come with services such as laundry, housekeeping, and 24X7 preventive maintenance so that our residents have time to pursue engaging activities. To know more about the services offered and the cost of living, call us at +91 8884555554.

More and more seniors are using the internet to connect with family and friends, access healthcare services, online banking, and pay bills. Of all the activities that seniors do online, shopping remains their favourite. Whether it is a friend’s birthday, Diwali, or any other occasion, online shopping lets seniors get all the shopping done without leaving their homes. Online shopping helps seniors buy their favourite products from an endless catalogue at the press of a button.    Let us take a quick look at some of the benefits of online shopping for seniors:  Convenience: Online shopping lets seniors shop from wherever and whenever they want to. There is no need for them to hustle through crowded stores and wait in long queues.  Time saver:  Online shopping helps seniors save time. They do not have to drive to stores or wait in traffic for hours. Also, seniors do not have to stress over finding a parking space for their cars.  Saves money: Online shopping is a good way for seniors to avail great discounts without physically visiting the stores.  Helpful customer reviews: This is one of the best advantages of online shopping. Reading reviews and understanding the product based on another customer’s experience makes the buying process a little more worry-free for seniors.    Although online shopping is convenient, it also makes it a lucrative platform for financial predators to target the seniors. Hence, it is important to be careful while shopping online.   As one of the leading retirement homes in Bangalore, we have curated a list of useful tips for online shopping for seniors:    Safety Tip 1: Use strong passwords  While shopping online, seniors should use strong passwords to avoid online frauds and cyber theft. Hackers often break into accounts by guessing passwords. Therefore, avoid commonly used passwords,here is a list of 2020’s commonly used passwords that you may find useful.    Safety Tip 2:  Shop with reputable retailers  Shop directly with online retailers you know and trust. If you already know the brand, it is safe to shop online from their e-store. However, if you are visiting an online store for the first time, do a background check by looking at the websites dedicated to reviewing e-stores.    Safety Tip 3: Shop on secure web pages  The internet browser tells if a site is secure or not. There are sites that show the letters “https” whereas others show “http.” The ‘https’ pages are secure and safe to make online transactions.   Safety Tip 4: Do not use public Wi-Fi while doing financial transaction  Public Wi-Fi connections are not secure for online transactions. Always use a personal or password-protected Wi-Fi connections while making financial transactions.    Safety Tip 5:  Avoid deals and offers that seem too good to be true Beware of online stores offering suspiciously good deals. Often scammers set up fake websites to tempt people to either buy counterfeit items or hand over their card details. The fake websites often look similar to websites of genuine retailers. Do not click on unexpected links or texts that promise deals too good to be true.    As people move into their golden years, they experience a greater sense of vulnerability. Which is why many seniors are moving into gated retirement communities. If you are looking for a worry-free experience after retirement, you can explore our retirement homes in Bangalore. Serene Urbana by Columbia Pacific provides you a peaceful, convenient and the sort of safe retirement lifestyle you have always dreamed of.   To know more about this retirement community in Bangalore, call at +91 8884555554.

“There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate’s loot on Treasure Island.” – Walt Disney Reading is fun. Reading a book not only transports the reader to an imaginary world, but it also offers an abundance of health benefits. Just like going for a jog boosts the cardiovascular system, reading can improve memory by giving your brain a workout. It has been found that creating a bedtime routine, like reading before bed, can improve the quality of sleep and improve overall health.  As one of the  leading retirement homes in Bangalore, we share with you 5 awesome benefits of reading for seniors: Alleviates stress: There are many ways to relax, but few are as immersive as reading. Reading is attributed to relieving stress. A 2009 study found that reading for just six minutes can reduce the stress levels by up to 68%.  Promotes better sleep: Reading is a better way of falling asleep than watching a TV show, which has been proven to keep people awake longer.  Reading improves memory: Since reading is a more neurologically challenging task than other activities, it makes the brain work harder. For example, reading a novel requires one to keep track of characters, plots, and scenarios which means the brain is working harder to focus and remember different details.  Protects cognitive health: Reading is a brain-challenging activity. It has been found that mental activities, including reading, may lower the risk of dementia in late life.  Makes people happy: The more people read, the happier they may feel. People who regularly read are more satisfied with their lives. Despite being a solitary activity, reading improves empathy and helps people understand social situations better.  At the well-stocked libraries at our retirement homes, residents can read in peace. Our libraries have computers as well as internet access for those who love reading eBooks. To know more about our retirement communities in Bangalore and other cities, call us at +91 8884555554.

Fitness trackers are not just for the young. Many senior  are turning to fitness trackers to stay healthy and active. Fitness trackers help seniors keep a tab on their daily fitness goals and stay on track. As one of the leading retirement homes in Bangalore, we have curated some of the benefits of fitness trackers for seniors:    Personal accountability: Using fitness trackers can motivate you to get moving. You get to monitor your progress against your greatest competitor – yourself! Self-tracking can not only make you stick to your workout routine, but also follow a healthy diet and sleep better. Daily notifications encourage you to increase your fitness goals. Remaining physically fit can have long-lasting effects on health and wellness — this includes helping seniors to remain independent for longer. Tailor your fitness goals: Fitness trackers allow you to set daily goals as per your personal preferences and mobility. The goal could be training yourself for a half marathon or doing 30 minutes of cardio every day. Creating your own fitness plans and routines specific to your goals help you stay motivated in the long run. The best way to make the most of your fitness tracker is to set a realistic goal at first and gradually increase the goals.  Sleep monitoring: Seniors need 7-8 hours of sleep each night to feel rested and refreshed. But many seniors often struggle for good sleep. A fitness tracker can help you know exactly how well you are sleeping. Many fitness trackers monitor your sleep and can let you know how much time you spent in deep sleep and how many times you woke up at night. The information provided by the fitness trackers will help you know whether you need to improve your sleep hygiene or not.  Group encouragement: Many fitness trackers allow you to compete with your friends and family. Knowing that someone is tracking your performance and even competing against you can help you stay motivated. You can create weekly competitions with your friends and family members and enjoy the healthy spirit of competition while staying active.  Different workout ideas: Many fitness trackers are connected to an app where you can find personalised workouts or personal trainers. Doing different workouts every now and then can prevent your exercise routine from getting monotonous. At our retirement communities in Bangalore,  residents are encouraged to stay physically active. We have a clubhouse with facilities for indoor games and a senior-friendly gym. There are group yoga and aerobics classes that help our residents to stay fit. These also present our residents with a great opportunity  to build meaningful friendships with those who are dedicated to their health. To find out the average monthly cost of staying in one of our retirement homes, call us at +91 8884555554.

Stress is much more than just a feeling. It not only affects your thoughts but when left unchecked it can contribute to many health problems. We share with you some signs that your body is telling you that stress is making you sick:  Too much weight gain or loss: Stress triggers the release of cortisol, which changes the way you metabolise fat, protein, and carbohydrates. Stress can also cause you to either overeat or undereat which can lead to significant changes in your weight. Ensure that you are eating well-balanced meals at the right times. Avoid eating junk food. Include a lot of fibre in your diet so you don’t binge on unhealthy foods.  Skin rashes: When you are experiencing emotional stress, there are a number of hormonal or chemical changes that occur in response to it. This can lead to hives. Those suffering from existing skin problems such as psoriasis and eczema may experience severe symptoms. Though hives clear up in a few days, they can be quite uncomfortable. Seeking medical treatment for hives can help ease the irritation.  Headaches: When you are stressed, your muscles tend to tense up. This can cause a headache. Along with a headache, you may find it difficult to sleep and feel low on energy. There are many over-the-counter medicines that can relieve headaches. However, after consulting your doctor, you can also try dabbing essential oils on your temples. If you are struggling with sleep, essential oils can help soothe feelings of anxiety and act as a natural sleep aid. Indigestion: Too much stress can wreak havoc on your gut and digestion. Stress can not only cause you to lose appetite, but it may also slow down digestion. This causes gas and bloating and may even lead to stomach pain. Whenever you are going through a stressful situation, it is important to eat well and keep yourself hydrated. Reducing stress can lower inflammation in the gut while eating well can ensure that your digestive system is back on track.  Persistent cold: Stress suppresses the effectiveness of the immune system, which makes it harder to fight off infections. According to a study, those dealing with stress are twice as likely to get sick than those who are not stressed out. If you have the above symptoms, take steps to manage your stress. Explore stress management strategies, such as exercising, practising relaxation techniques, and spending time with family and friends. At our retirement homes in Bangalore, there are daily yoga sessions. Residents can play indoor games in the clubhouse or work out at the fully equipped gym. As one of the leading retirement communities in Bangalore, we ensure that our residents enjoy their retirement years while we take care of their comfort and security.

Walking is a simple and effective form of exercise. It is great for improving your overall health. Though it is simple, there are some common mistakes that can get in the way of achieving the desired results. Walking the wrong way not just wastes your efforts but can also results in injuries. As operators of one of the leading retirement communities in Bangalore, we share with you walking mistakes that seniors can avoid making while they are out for a stroll:  Wearing the wrong footwear: When it comes to avoiding injury, it is essential to wear the right walking shoes. Athletic sneakers that are supportive, feel good, and fit correctly are ideal for walking. Make sure that your walking shoes are lightweight, while still providing support and cushioning. Wearing inappropriate footwear can make your feet swell when you take a sustained walk.  Not using your arms to your advantage: It is natural to move your arms while walking. But when you keep your arms stiff, they slow you down. Do not keep your arms still at your sides while walking. Rather let them swing naturally forward and back as you walk. Taking wide steps: When you walk faster, there is a natural tendency to reach out farther than your back foot. The longer steps may increase your walking speed but it is an ineffective walking technique that has the potential to lead to an injury. When you overstride in the long run, your shins may hurt. If you are trying to walk fast, taking shorter and quicker steps can be more helpful.  Not maintaining a good posture: While walking if you are always looking down, hanging your head, or checking your mobile phone continuously, you may end up straining your neck and shoulders. This will make walking a less pleasant experience. While walking, make sure the shoulders are loose, arms are moving freely, the neck is in a neutral position and the chin is up so that you’re not straining.  Walking through pain: If you are experiencing pain, it is best to skip your walks for a few days. Walking with pain can lead to soreness, discomfort, and even injury. If you are having trouble walking or experiencing pain that does not seem to go away, see a doctor before continuing your daily walks.  Looking for retirement homes in Whitefield Bangalore? Explore The Virtuoso Club and Serviced Residences by Columbia Pacific Communities. The retirement home is located in the integrated township of Ozone Urbana. You will find a well-maintained community garden, swimming pool, cafeteria serving delicious meals, clubhouse with Wi-Fi, fully equipped gym, library with computer, and internet access at The Virtuso. To know more about life at The Virtuoso Club and Serviced Residences , call us at +91  8884555554.

Bangalore – the hub of traditional culture, good food and captivating architecture – is an ideal place to enjoy a comfortable retired life. The cosmopolitan nature and the vibrant city life make it attractive for seniors looking for a fun and active retired life. But there’s more to Bangalore than being just a city with glitzy and glamorous lifestyle. Let’s take a brief look at what the city has to offer to its senior residents: Good infrastructure: Bangalore is among the best Indian cities in terms of infrastructure. The poster child of India’s urbanisation, Bangalore continues to witness growth in the retail, hospitality and residential sectors. The city boasts of having good public transport, roads, flyovers and public spaces. Excellent places to spend good times with your friends and family: There are good cafes, restaurants and malls for people seeking to spend a perfect evening. The city has a lot to offer to those who like to visit art galleries or museums,. One can also plan day trip to Nandi Hills or Bannerghatta Biological Park. When it comes to eating out, it is a city where people of all ages will be spoilt for choice. From al-fresco cafes to rooftop restaurants, there is no dearth of restaurants on MG Road, Lavelle Road and other areas in Bangalore. Pleasant weather: One of the reasons why seniors love Bangalore is because of its climate. The mornings are bright and sunny and the evenings are cooler. One thing that cannot be missed about Bangalore is the huge open spaces likeCubbon Park Lalbagh and Botanical Park. The weather makes it perfect for seniors to enjoy the beautiful open spaces. World-class medical facilities: Bangalore is one of the fastest-growing medical destinations in India with hospitals offering leading health care facilities and state-of-the-art technology. There are several retirement communities in Bangalore such as ours which have partnered with leading hospitals to give their residents round-the-clock medical care. Columbia Asia Hospitals is the healthcare partner of Columbia Pacific Communities and helps us provide our residents with world-class healthcare. If you are looking for premium senior community living facilities in Bangalore, explore The Virtuoso Club and Serviced Residences, located in Budigere. The lush green surroundings offer tranquility while seniors have easy access to what the city has to offer, making it an ideal investment for them. Read More – Why is Moving to a Retirement Home in Bangalore a Healthy Choice

Bangalore is emerging as one of the most preferred cities in India for retirement. The city has a great social life and offers seniors ample opportunities to do the things they enjoy the most – whether it is visiting a theater, learning something new or enjoying relaxed evenings at the city’s famous parks. Here’s why you should consider spending your golden years in the Silicon Valley of India: World-class healthcare: The city is home to some of the best hospitals in the country. For those planning to spend your golden years in Bangalore, this can be quite reassuring. Our retirement community in Bangalore, Serene Urbana by Columbia Pacific Communities, is away from the hustle and bustle of the city and has all the modern amenities. With Columbia Asia Hospitals as the Healthcare Partners, be assured of round-the-clock healthcare. Good infrastructure: The amazing infrastructure and pleasant climatic conditions make Bangalore an attractive place for development of several new-age retirement communities. The Virtuoso Club and Serviced Residences in Bangalore is India’s first independent senior living community designed to international standards. You can find more details about the project here Social life: Known for its amazing weather, the city offers a lot to its senior residents. You can spend the early morning at Cubbon Park, eat at your favourite restaurant on MG road, and shop at UB City Mall. You can make day trips to Nandi Hills and Bannerghatta Biological Park. You don’t have to worry about booking cabs as retirement homes like ours have dedicated concierge services that takes care of all of this. We help you hire vehicles for your impromptu trips and provide booking assistance.