Do you find yourself getting a little sad when the weather changes? Whether or not you’re affected by the changing seasons, it’s never a bad idea to do an emotional check-in with yourself. You can improve your mental state with these emotional health tips for seniors.
Elevate Your Mood with These Emotional Support Tips
Growing older can lead to complex mental and emotional changes for seniors. As your life changes in your golden years, it’s a good idea to be proactive about your mental and emotional health. Finding resources to provide support and help you stay resilient in difficult times is a smart place to start. Let us help you make a plan with these emotional support tips for seniors.
Look for the Positive Aspects of Aging
It can be easy to get caught up in negative emotions about aging. However, if you focus on the problematic aspects, you can lose sight of all the positive things that growing older can bring to your life. For example, seniors have wisdom and resilience that younger people don’t. Taking time to shift your perspective on aging can keep you focused on what’s working in your life and help you spend less time worrying about what’s getting you down.
Stay Connected to Others
Are you struggling to stay connected with your friends and loved ones as a senior? It’s a common problem for folks in their golden years, and it can lead to depression and other serious mental health issues. Seniors need to prioritize social connections, but it’s also essential to find ways to make social connections work with your current lifestyle. Can you schedule a weekly catch-up call with a loved one? Or find a class to take at your local senior center? You can even consider a change like assisted living, which gives you a community of like-minded seniors and many ways to make new friends.
Build Your Cognitive Skills
One of the reasons that seniors struggle with social isolation is that changes in cognitive skills can make communication difficult. Practicing your cognitive skills is a smart way to keep them sharp in your golden years. Try adding word puzzles or other brain teasers to your daily routine.
Express Yourself
Do you have a creative hobby, like painting or writing? If you don’t have one, your golden years are the perfect time to pick up a new hobby. Being creative provides satisfaction through self-expression and accomplishment, and it can bring elements of fun and joy into your everyday life. It also allows you to learn new things and challenge yourself, which is great for your cognitive health. If there’s a type of art you’ve always wanted to try, why not do so now?
Get Some Exercise
Yes, exercise is a standard recommendation for senior mental health, but there’s a good reason for that. Exercise can help lower your anxiety levels and boost your mood. It’s proven to have a positive effect on depression and other common senior mental health issues. An exercise routine can add structure to your week and even give you a chance to make some new friends. So the next time you’re feeling sad, throw on some sneakers and take a long walk!
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We hope these emotional health tips prove helpful.
Are you looking for a community that provides a positive, healthy atmosphere where your loved one can enjoy their golden years? The Shores of Lake Phalen may be just the place. It’s an assisted living and memory care community in a quiet, peaceful environment in Maplewood, Minnesota. Surrounded by a gorgeous wooded setting between two lakes, our residence offers the accessibility of apartment-style housing with the atmosphere and elegance of a resort. We offer numerous health and safety amenities, fun events and activities, a friendly and accommodating staff, and much more. Schedule a tour of the community to explore our spacious apartments and more. We look forward to hearing from you!