Early-Bird Dinners and Compression Socks? Count Us In
We poke fun at a lot of “boomer” habits, like sleeping too early or eating dinner at 5:00 p.m. Though some habits are a little out there, many others benefit us in ways we never imagined. Let’s dive into some of the best ones you should adopt immediately!
1. Handwriting Letters
Handwritten letters seem archaic, but allow us to write our own love letters to them! They’re a fun, creative, personal way to keep in touch with friends—especially those you haven’t seen in a while. If you get excited about Amazon deliveries, imagine the joy of a letter from friends!
2. Eating Dinner Early
We’re not saying to hop on early bird specials (though they certainly keep things affordable), but you should consider eating earlier. Our body needs time to digest and wolfing down hearty meals at 10:00 p.m. won’t do you any good.
3. Daily Tidying
Don’t worry—we’re not advocating that you flip the house upside down. However, making the bed or sweeping crumbs off the table ensures a tidier home. It’s one less thing to worry about down the line and you prevent a huge cleanup later.
4. Waking Up Earlier
Not everyone’s a morning person, and we understand the urge to hit snooze, but waking up a little earlier has proven benefits. You’ll have more time for morning routines, won’t feel rushed, and may even find yourself more energetic throughout the day.
5. Going to Bed Earlier
You won’t get anywhere without a good night’s sleep, so it’s time to hit the hay early. Laugh all you want at your grandma’s 9:00 p.m. bedtime, but she’s better rested than us—the ones who doom scroll until two in the morning.
6. Tending Your Own Garden
Gardening offers so much more than fresh produce and time in the sun. Gardeners relieve stress, improve their diets, and can even squeeze in a good workout. There’s also something so liberating about growing your very own fruits and vegetables!
7. Mid-Day Napping
We’ve all laughed once or twice at grandpa’s midday nap…but he may be on to something. Those afternoon recharges are exactly what we need for a relaxed mind and improved concentration. Rest your eyes for about 20 minutes when you really need it—you might be surprised at the results.
8. Repairing Items on Your Own
Younger generations don’t always have the same know-how as their parents and grandparents. Learning to DIY projects saves tons of time and money in the future. Ask for help so you know how to do it later! It’s a win-win: they’ll teach us how to build a bookshelf and we’ll teach them how to send an email.
9. Going to the Library
Local libraries have never been more important, so do yourself a favor and pop over. Remember: you don’t need a new book or video game. You don’t need a magazine subscription. Libraries offer these things for free! Don’t laugh off your grandparents’ library cards—they’re keys to an entirely new world.
10. Practicing Frugality
Speaking of frugality, it’s easy to joke about our grandparents’ “savings jar.” However, that kind of penny-pinching keeps wallets full and houses free of clutter. Practice saving your money. Boomers may have appliances from the ‘60s, but they still work, don’t they?
11. Wearing a Good Pair of Walking Shoes
You won’t always the effects of life choices right away—while a good pair of shoes seems pointless today, your feet will thank you twenty years from now. Proper shoes support our heels and arches, prevent cracked nails, and ensure we won’t experience serious problems down the road.
12. Learning to Read Cursive
We know, we know. You’ve heard this argument before. But learning to read and write cursive is more valuable than it appears. Plenty of old documents, books, and even letters have cursive in them, so even learning the basics opens a whole new world.
13. Taking Time Away From Screens
Boomers grew up in a time without screens. They weren’t privy to social media or having the world in their pocket. It was a simpler time—and some can argue that it was also a better time. It’s not always possible in today’s world to walk away from a screen, but it’s important to find some time away. Go for a walk. Read a book. Cook a meal. Just give your eyes a break!
14. Wearing Compression Socks
Compression socks seem like the ultimate boomer garment, but they’re more helpful than you think. They’re not only comfortable, but they also support healthy blood flow and can reduce ankle swelling. They’re especially great for long plane rides.
15. Cooking at Home
Do you like saving money? Do you enjoy delicious, home-cooked meals? Bust out the apron and get your keister in the kitchen! You’ll eat healthier, you’ll save on dining costs, and you’ll even reduce stress. It’s also a great way to spend more time with your family.
16. Preserving Food
We often make fun of boomers and their jam-packed chest freezers. Your grandma might have eighty jars of tomato sauce, but you can still adopt food preservation—in a moderate sense. With meal prep and zero food waste, you’re doing the planet (and yourself) some good.
17. Borrowing From Friends
Borrowing a cup of sugar seems like something from a storybook. But borrowing items also saves money and ensures you get the most bang for your buck. If you only need something for a short time, ask a friend or neighbor.
18. Morning Stretches
When we’re young, it’s easy to assume we’ll never have poor posture or creaking muscles. But the effort you put in now greatly rewards you in the future, so get in those morning stretches! They’ll prevent injury, boost your mood, and increase flexibility (among other things).
19. Using Cash Over Card
We can’t always use cash over cards in today’s world. Heck, some places don’t even accept physical bills anymore. But try and keep some money on you instead of swiping every time. It’s a rude wake-up call on how much you spend and can curb any nasty habits.
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20. Taking Time to Chat
We’ve all been behind the old guy at the cash register. He may have annoyed you then, but friendliness isn’t entirely without merit. Small talk with neighbors and friendly conversations with strangers improve mood and build a sense of community. You don’t need to drone on for hours, but you can still ask how someone’s doing.
