Mental health is crucial and just as important to overall well-being as physical health. At Seasons Retirement, we care about our residents’ health – physically, socially, and mentally. We aim to promote a healthy lifestyle for each resident to improve their overall quality of life.
World Mental Health Day is on October 10th, and the aim is to raise awareness about various mental health issues, destigmatize them, and encourage people to care for themselves and others.
Below, we’ll be examining the benefits of mindfulness for seniors and outlining some ways older individuals can better care for their emotional and mental health.
Mindfulness is the process of being present and aware of where you are and what you’re doing. Mindful intent allows you to become more aware of your physical body, thoughts and emotions and can help mitigate panic or anxiety attacks, and taking a moment to slow down and focus on a specific task can help promote healthy living and emotional well-being.
Some benefits of mindfulness for seniors include:
Here is a list of exercises older people can try to boost their mental health and improve their mood.
Important note: When trying any new exercise or activity, be sure first to consult your doctor or healthcare provider.
Walking is an excellent way to enjoy the world at your own pace and leisure. Whether casually strolling through the community or power walking to improve your cardio, walking is a great way to get fresh air and exercise.
Playing a sport you enjoy, going to the gym or incorporating stretches into your daily routine are all ways to engage in a healthy activity, release tension and boost your mood. Exercise can be especially enjoyable with a buddy or as a group, as other individuals can help encourage you and keep the activity lighthearted and fun.
If you weren’t interested in sports as a kid, that’s perfectly fine! It’s never too late to try something new. Instead of focusing on what you can’t do, try to focus on what you can do and learn.
Even for those who have been through a lot, life provides too many gifts not to give thanks. Thankfulness is a way to take your mind off the problems in life and refocus your mind on the good things.
You can say these things out loud or take the chance to start a gratitude jar. Write down three things you’re thankful for daily and stick them in a jar or shoebox. Eventually, you’ll have a jar full of things to be grateful for, and if you’re having a challenging time, you can dig through the jar and look back on all your blessings from over the years.
Journaling is another great habit to start. It helps keep you in the moment and constructively express your thoughts and feelings. Keeping a journal provides a safe space between you and the paper where you can be fully and completely honest without judgment.
Learning to express emotions effectively can help with grief and trauma. Looking back in your journal is also a way to revisit fond memories or victories of the past.
Art is a fun way to get creative and make something for yourself or someone else, and the best thing about art is that you don’t need to be a professional to make or enjoy it! If you don’t like drawing or painting, you can still do plenty of other artsy activities. Colouring, for example, can be a cathartic and peaceful mindfulness for seniors.
Knitting, sewing, and crafting are all art-based activities that can be meditative, calming activities helpful in practicing mindfulness. Find something you enjoy, put on your favourite music and let your creativity run wild!
Music is a beautiful medium that connects even deeper than words for some. Music is incredibly therapeutic and can help individuals relieve stress and encourage relaxation.
There are several ways to incorporate music into your life. Dancing, for example, is a way to listen to music and get a little exercise at the same time. You can go out dancing or just have a dance party in the comfort of your own space.
Learning a musical instrument is another way to have fun while boosting cognitive function. If you’ve always wanted to play a musical instrument, why not learn? Training on a new instrument can help you to express thoughts and feelings in a healthy way that sounds good, too.
Nature can slow us down enough to pay attention to the world around us. Surrounding yourself with nature is a peaceful way to appreciate the world’s beauty.
Mindfulness for seniors can look like a nature walk or hike, a visit to a national park, or even tending to a garden.
Even with everything happening in the world, there are many inspiring and uplifting things to read and listen to. Pick up a book and venture into nature to find a quiet place to read or listen. Reading new books or rereading old ones can be calming and take you on an exciting adventure, even if mobility is an issue.
There’s no shame in speaking to a therapist. Counsellors are specially trained to listen and help you work out some of your anxious thoughts and feelings. Therapy or counselling can benefit those battling depression, loneliness, anxiety or other mental health issues and can help you combat those feelings constructively.
For example, mind mapping is an activity that helps to break overwhelming thoughts down into smaller, more manageable chunks. This technique can be done on paper with colourful markers or by thinking about it. Another method is guided meditation for older individuals, where a therapist will walk you through breathing exercises that will assist in calming you down in the face of a panic attack.
Here at Seasons Retirement Communities, we take great care to ensure our residents are well cared for in all aspects of their lives. Mental health is essential to us, and we want to do all we can to provide your loved one with the best care and quality of life.
Contact us to learn more about our communities and how we can care for your loved one.