If you’re a senior that loves a good weekend adventure, you might find yourself looking forward to Fridays. Even if you’ve decided to retire, chances are, some of your family members that you like visiting or going away with may still operate on a traditional work schedule. What that means is that, sometimes, you might have to wait until the end of the week to start a trip or act on new plans. Friday is a day of the week that holds a special place for a lot of people and for a variety of reasons.
For many, it marks the end of the work week and the beginning of the weekend. But did you know that the origins of Friday’s name can be traced back to ancient history and that it represents the chance to optimize your health and wellness as a senior living in Florida?
Did You Know…
The English word “Friday” comes from the Old English “Frigeaeg,” which means “day of Frige.” If you haven’t heard of her, Frige was a goddess in Norse mythology who was associated with love, fertility, and marriage. The idea of associating a day of the week with a specific deity or god was not uncommon in ancient cultures. Actually, if you didn’t already know, the seven-day week was first introduced by the Babylonians in the 6th century BCE, and it was adopted by the Romans and later by the Christian Church. In AD 321, Constantine, the first Christian Roman Emperor, made the 7-day week official. After starting the seven-day week instead of an eight-day one, the Romans used the days of the week to reflect their own deities.
Florida seniors and just about everyone else associate Friday as a day to start something new with family or friends, or a day to rest and replenish energy in preparation for two days to do just about anything you want. Believe it or not though, in many cultures, Friday was considered an unlucky day for some. The belief that Friday the 13th is a particularly unlucky day can be traced back to the Middle Ages. According to some accounts, this superstition arose because there were 13 people present at the Last Supper, and Jesus was crucified on a Friday. It’s interesting that a day that could mean so much to so many has such an interesting history from the way it started.
Who Would’ve Thought
Despite its association with bad luck, Friday has also been celebrated as a day of religious significance. In the Christian tradition, Good Friday is the day that commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus. In Islamic culture, Friday is a holy day of prayer and worship, and it is known as Jummah.
Aside from religious origins and ties to ancient history, people are currently more likely to associate this particular day of the week with a popular expression of relief and excitement: “TGIF” or “Thank God It’s Friday.” This expression isn’t as new as you might think. It actually first appeared in the 1960s and quickly gained popularity as a way to celebrate the end of the workweek. Regardless if you work a traditional schedule though, seniors still have every reason to be excited for the end of the week considering that it means close to endless time with family including grandchildren, and being able to connect with anyone else that may have to wait until the weekend to have real fun.
The Health and Wellness of Friday’s
It’s important to remember that Friday and the weekend can be an opportunity to focus on your health and wellness. One way to make the most of your Friday and weekend is to prioritize physical activity and as a senior that is especially important to keep up with. Keep in mind that with age, physical activity helps to combat health challenges, preventable aches and pains, and even spark creativity and better focus. Exercise has numerous health benefits for seniors, including improving cardiovascular health, reducing the risk of chronic diseases, and boosting mood and energy levels. Consider taking a brisk walk, signing up for a yoga class, or hitting the gym and if you decide to go the gym route, you may find it helpful to work with a trainer that knows how to work with seniors and enhance safety without compromising effectiveness.
In addition to exercise, it’s also important to prioritize healthy eating habits and Fridays are the perfect day to put this into action. A lot of the time, people use weekends to try new restaurants and as a senior, if you want to get more into healthy eating, trying new healthy restaurants on Fridays may be a good way to start your weekends. You could even take the time to plan out healthy meals and snacks for the week ahead. Try incorporating more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains into your diet, and limit your intake of processed and sugary foods. You might even notice that you’ll start to gain more natural energy by next Friday.
Friday and the weekend can also be a great time to focus on mental health and relaxation. Consider trying out mindfulness techniques such as meditation or deep breathing, or simply take the time to read a book or listen to music.
Another way to prioritize your health and wellness on Friday and the weekend is to make time for social connections. Spending time with friends and family can be a great way to reduce stress and improve overall well-being. Consider planning a social outing, such as a dinner party, brunch, or a movie night with the grandkids, or simply take the time to catch up with loved ones over the phone if you’re a long-distance grandparent.
Ultimately, Friday and the weekend can be valuable opportunities to prioritize your health and well-being. By incorporating physical activity, healthy eating, relaxation, and social connections into your Friday and weekend routine, you can set yourself up for a healthier and happier week ahead as a senior.
Enjoying More About Friday’s
The history of Friday is rich and varied and surprisingly not too many people know that. From its origins as a day associated with the Norse goddess Frige to its modern-day celebration as the end of the workweek, Friday has played a significant role in human culture for thousands of years for seniors, and all other populations. So the next time you find yourself saying “TGIF,” remember the rich history behind this beloved day of the week.
