Today I met a delightful 87 year old lady who came to see me regarding urinary infections. After the usual discussion, tests and prescription, I asked her how she spent her day. She said, “Doctor, I am an enthusiastic knitter.  I am knitting small animals at the moment for the local parish stall”. I could see how much she loved her pastime by the twinkle in her eye and the way her posture changed.

Knitting is a wonderful pastime. Not only is it good for vision and fine motor skills, it also requires memory, planning, and judgement. When linked to a greater community and social purpose, it makes for a wonderful health promoting activity. There are so many activities that you can reap pleasure from and it is important to establish these habits in early stages of life, rather than “waiting for the time” in retirement.

Find a purpose in work and in play. That’s the recipe for a very good day.

In Health and Wellness