National Day of Joy falls on the last Wednesday of June. Created in 2019 by Comfort Keepers, this holiday focuses on finding everyday moments of joy. Today on the blog we’re going to look at different things you can do to bring more joy to your life.
How Can I Find What Brings Me Joy?
You may be familiar with the term “trigger.” According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, a trigger is “an action or situation that can lead to an adverse emotional reaction.” The opposite of a trigger is a glimmer, which are “micro-moments of joy that make us feel happy, joyful, and safe.” Click here to learn more about glimmers and how to find them.
Connecting With Others
- Libraries- libraries offer a variety of classes for all ages. Some libraries also offer book clubs, cooking classes, craft nights, and other meet ups.
- Chelsea District Library (734) 475-8732
- Books & Banter Book Club- meets the 2nd Wednesday of each month 2:30-3:30pm. No registration needed.
- Milan Public library (734) 439-1240
- Lethal Lunches (mystery book group)- meets the 1st Wednesday of each month from 1:00-2:30pm. Email [email protected] for more information or to register.
- Northfield Township Area Library (734) 449-0066
- Finer Things Book Club- meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month from 1:00-2:00pm. May need to join waitlist.
- Saline District Library (734) 429-5450
- Feisty Women Book Club- meets the 1st Thursday of each month from 7:00-8:00pm. Registration is preferred.
- Monday Murer Club- meets the 3rd Monday of each month from 6:30-7:30pm. Registration is requested but not required.
- Ypsilanti District Library (734) 482-4110
- Intergenerational Chess Club- meets monthly on Saturdays. Call for more information.
- Mahjong Meetup- meets weekly on Mondays from 1:00-3:00pm.
- Senior Advisory Board- meets monthly. View the website or call for more information.
- Chelsea District Library (734) 475-8732
- Senior Centers- senior centers are a great way to get out, meet new people, and stay active. Each senior center offers different programs and groups, including art classes, fitness classes, social events, and more. Check their newsletters for the most up to date information.
- Ann Arbor Senior Center (734) 794-6250
- Chelsea Senior Center (734) 475-9242
- Dexter Senior Center (734) 426-7737
- Lincoln Golden Ages (734) 218-4253 or (734) 484-7000 ext. 7557
- Manchester Area Seniors (517) 262-7828
- Milan Seniors for Healthy Living (734) 508-6229
- Northfield Township Community Center/Senior Center (734) 449-2295
- Pittsfield Township Senior Center (734) 822-2117
- Saline Area Senior Center (734) 429-9274
- Turner Senior Wellness Program (734) 998-9353
- Well Connected (free virtual senior center for those age 60+) (877) 797-7299
- Ypsilanti Senior Center (734) 483-5014
- Ypsilanti Township 50 & Beyond Program (734) 544-3800
- Senior Lunch Cafes- these cafes (usually part of senior centers) offer good company and meals at a reduced rate (usually a donation of $3.50 if you’re age 60+ or $5 if you’re under 60). Please note that some centers have a different phone number for their lunch program.
- Chelsea Senior Center (734) 475-9242. M-F @ noon. Call 24 hours in advance to reserve lunch.
- Dexter Senior Center (734) 253-2370. M, W, F @ noon. Call 48 hours in advance to reserve lunch.
- Manchester Area Seniors (734) 478-3617. T, Th @ noon.
- Milan Seniors for Healthy Living (734) 508-6229. T, W, Th @ 11:45am. Call 48 hours in advance to reserve lunch.
- Northfield Township Community Center/Senior Center (734) 449-2295. T, W, Th @ 12:30pm. Call one week in advance to reserve lunch.
- Turner Senior Wellness Program (734) 998-9353. Tu, F @ noon. Call 48 hours in advance to reserve lunch.
- Ypsilanti Township 50 & Beyond Program (734) 544-3800. M-F @ 11am. Call one week in advance to reserve lunch.
- Relevant Blog Posts:
- Community Guide to Dementia Support (memory cafes and other social outlets for people with memory difficulties)
- Looking for one more for a card game?
- Travel Adventures for Seniors
Connecting With Nature
- Gardening
- Community Gardens
- Gardening Clubs
- Ann Arbor Garden Club– cares for the gardens at U-M Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Cobblestone Farm. $20 annual dues.
- Ann Arbor Good Thyme Garden Club– meets the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 10am. $20 dues.
- Chelsea Area Garden Club- meets the 2nd Monday of the month at 1pm. $25 annual dues.
- Dexter Garden Club– meets the 2nd Tuesday of the month at St. Andrews in Dexter.
- Evening Primrose Garden Club (Chelsea)- meets the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 7pm. $20 annual dues.
- Milan Garden Club– meets the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 6:45pm (meeting locations vary). $20 annual dues.
- Northfield Township Area Library Gardener’s Group– meets the 1st Tuesday of the month at 6pm. No cost.
- Saline Stone & Thistle Garden Club– meets the 3rd Monday of the month at 6:45pm.
- Wild Ones Ann Arbor Area Chapter– meets the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 6:45pm (various membership levels).
- Seed Libraries
- Dexter District Library
- Northfield Township Area Library– choose your seeds, then donate your saved seeds back to NTAL to share with the community.
- Saline District Library– community members can take up to five seed packets. The SeeDLibrary is located by the ETC Collection, just inside the northwest entrance (across from the Adult Reference Desk).
- University of Michigan– grab free seed packets from the Design-o-Matic on the first floor of the Shapiro library. For more information about the seed library, contact [email protected].
- Washtenaw Community College– located in the WCC Bailey Library (1st floor Gunder Myran Building). Open during normal library hours. Open to all.
- Ypsilanti District Library– community members are invited to “borrow” seeds from the seed library at no cost. At the end of the season, gardeners can “return” saved or unused seeds to be added back into the seed library. No library card is needed to participate!
- Tool Lending
- Washtenaw Tool Bank Collective– partnership of Growing Hope and Washtenaw County Conservation District to offer various tools & equipment for farming, gardening, and conservation projects serving the Ypsilanti, Ann Arbor, and greater Washtenaw communities.
- Ypsilanti District Library– YDL’s Library of Things collection includes various gardening tools (shears, garden kneelers/seats, hand tools, watering cans, and more). Some items require that users sign a waiver before checking out. Must have a valid YDL library card.
- Visiting Nature
- Garden Walks via Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation
- Matthaei Botanical Gardens
- Nichols Arboretum
- Ann Arbor area parks and trails via Visit Ann Arbor
- Relevant Blog Posts:
Learning New Things
- Adult Learners Institute of Chelsea– offers online and in-person classes. Classes range from no cost to $35.
- Elderwise– continuing education program. $30 annual membership (you do not need to be a member to take classes).
- GetSetUp– live online classes to keep older adults mentally, physically, and socially active. Classes are offered free of charge.
- Michigan Activity Pass– use your library card to get free and reduced-cost tickets to museums and other local attractions.
- Northfield Township Area Library
- New Beginnings Learning Group- meets weekly on Mondays from 1:30-2:30pm.
- Silent Book Club- meets the 4th Tuesday of each month from 6:00-7:30pm. One time registration required.
- Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI)- continuing education program. Offers virtual and in-person courses and study groups, as well as trips. $35 annual membership fee. Must be at least 50 years old to participate.
- Senior Planet– offers free online classes (closest in-person classes are in Midland).
- Washtenaw Community College Emeritus Scholarships– covers tuition got non-credit classes for Washtenaw County residents ages 65+.
- Washtenaw County Library for the Blind and Print Disabled– If you or someone you know is unable to read standard type print, unable to hold a book in your hands, or, if you have dyslexia then you qualify for this service, which is open to all Washtenaw County residents. There are more resources available than can fit in this blog post, visit the website for more information.
- Washtenaw County Senior Focus Classes– free fitness classes for Washtenaw County residents age 65+. Classes are held at a variety of locations throughout the county.
- Relevant Blog Posts:
- Finding Your Roots (Genealogy resources in Washtenaw County)
- Spotlight: Washtenaw Library for the Blind and Print Disabled
Being Active
- Northfield Township Area Library (734) 449-0066
- Mindful Movements: Tai Chi at the Library (Tuesdays 11am-noon)
- Saline District Library (734) 429-5450
- Walking Yoga- series of 3-week classes. Meets on Mondays from noon-1:00pm. Registration required.
- Yoga Flow- see library’s website or call for more information.
- Ypsilanti District Library (734) 482-4110
- Chair Yoga for All Levels- meets on Fridays at 10:30am.
- Friday Walking Club (55+)- meets on Fridays at 10:30am.
- Moving For Better Balance with the Ann Arbor YMCA- meets on Wednesdays from 10:00-11:00am.
- Relevant Blog Posts: