21 May 10 Ways Seniors Can Boost Their Mental Health and Well-Being
Mental health is imperative to functioning health and a happy life. Seniors can boost their mental in numerous ways.
Staying physically healthy, socially active, and mentally engaged as you age are keys to boosting senior mental health, experts agree. For instance:
1.) Just Keep Moving
Exercise is essential for both the body and mind, Brown says. Go for a daily walk or join a senior exercise class at a nearby Y, gym, or senior center. If you have physical limitations, try chair exercises. If you’re physically able, try a dance class. A study published in August 2014 in the Journal of the American Medical Directors Association found that just one 60-minute dance class a week led to significant improvements in depression symptoms.
2.) Socialize at Your Local Senior Center
Senior centers offer a variety of classes, from crafts and hobbies to computer classes to keep the mind interested and active. Some also offer transportation to those who need it.
3.) Stay Involved with Friends and Family
Find ways to be included and visit often with family and friends. Schedule a family game night or play cards with friends. The social stimulation will do you all good.
4.) Get a Pet
Whether you’re a dog person or a cat person, caring for a pet can be helpful. Animals make seniors more socially engaged, less depressed, and less agitated
5.) Turn to Technology to Stay Connected
It’s important to maintain a level of social connection with others. This can increase our mental health facilities and functions as well as improve our levels of happiness and mental stability. It is important to maintain ways to get involved and spend time with others. Even with social distancing measures being maintained there are various ways one can continue to stay connected. These activities can be done in person or done over phone calls or even video chatting. The different ways to stay connected with others could be
1) Facetime calls with loved ones
2) Storytime with other seniors
3) Book Clubs
4) Stay up to date on current events
6.) Stay Active
Staying active is an important way to keep the mind active and functioning as well. Exercise can release endorphins and reduce stress. Exercise doesn’t have to be intense with large movements. Instead, any senior can learn various exercises that can be customized for limitations in movement. Our YouTube channel offers various videos on how to stay active and different chair and sitting exercises seniors can get involved with.
7.) Maintain Positivity
Your environment can heavily affect your mental health, maintaining a positive outlook, and surrounding oneself with positive people is essential to successful mental health. . This type of positive reinforcement and environment results in a thought process that reflects positivity. Another way to maintain positivity and increase happiness is to find your own meaning and purpose. This could be through a new hobby, helping others, or taking time to enjoy the little things. our trusted Aegis caretakers maintain a positive and uplifting attitude to encourage and support our patients.
8.) Get Involved with New Things
Seniors can feel as if they have less freedom and have more of a limiting and restricting daily schedule. It’s important to keep it interesting and new, one way to do so is to constantly try new things and get involved in new experiences. Also, it can be a fun and creative way to experiment whether that is reading a new book, trying a new recipe, creating art, or even going on a daily walk to bird watch. Any of these can be wonderful activities, especially those with moments outdoors, to get some variety and excitement in your life.
9.) Make a Difference
Volunteering comes in all shapes and sizes. Pitch in locally or search online for ways to volunteer from the comfort of your own home. Giving back can be one of the best ways to add meaning to your life. (Hyperlink- aegis volunteer page)
10.) Manage Stress and Practice Mindfulness
It’s never too late to learn how to manage stress and maintain a mindful connection. Stress can lead to a reduction in immune system function and overall health. Mindfulness practices a higher level of awareness and being present. It reduces feelings of stress and anxiety since mindfulness emphasizes staying in the current moment, not the anxiety of yesterday or tomorrow. A great way to relax is to also practice meditation, meditation reduces stress and can even help with cognitive functions.