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6 Mental Health Tips for Seniors

Posted on Dec 19, 2024

A new stage in life, retirement can bring new joys as well as challenges. That is why it's important to actively take care of your mental health, giving it the same attention you would to your diet or quality of sleep (both which, incidentally, are important to your mental wellbeing!). 

Here are six easy ways for seniors to care for their mental health, with everyday ideas to get started:

Take Care of Your Body

Our physical bodies are complex, and lacking or deficient care in one type of health can have far-reaching effects. That is why it’s important for older adults to take care of their overall wellbeing, for both their mental, physical, and emotional health. 

This includes:

• Regularly exercising to keep your body moving. For your mental health, physical activity helps release mood-boosting endorphins and lower stress levels. 
• Getting enough sleep, and making sure that it is quality rest. Sleep deprivation can increase symptoms of stress, irritability, and pre-existing mental health conditions. If you are having trouble falling or staying asleep, talk to your physician. Depending on the cause, they may recommend a sleep study or CPAP machine.
• Eating well, including limiting caffeine consumption and having enough lean protein in your diet (e.g. chicken, fish, eggs, nuts). Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids are also particularly beneficial, such as salmon and tuna. Be aware not to over- or under-eat, and practice which can be common when experiencing stress or depression.
• Taking any prescribed medications consistently. Some prescriptions have specific instructions to take with food or at a specific time of day so they don’t interfere with your body’s internal clock. Also be aware of any potential side effects of your medications, which can include increased feelings of stress, depression, or anxiety. 

Keep Your Brain Active

One of the best ways to boost and maintain your mental acuity is by staying engaged through lifelong learning. This can include learning or returning to a hobby, practicing an instrument, attending a seminar or lecture, online learning, enjoying a podcast or documentary, and so much more! Learn more about the benefits of lifelong learning with our recent blog. 

Stay Socially Connected

As we’ve written about before, a rich social life for seniors is key to enjoying your retirement and staying healthy. Human interaction, whether in person or over the phone or computer, helps improve both your emotional health as well as your memory and cognitive function. Spending time with others activates your amygdala, the part of your brain that controls memories and emotions. Spending time with friends, neighbors, and loved ones is crucial to positive mood regulation and your emotional well-being. 

Social connection for older adults can also be good for processing and managing and processing life’s different hurdles. Support groups are a great way to form personal connections with life-minded individuals managing similar situations, including various life stages, illnesses, taking care of an aging parent or partner, and grief. 

Limit Your Social and Media Use

Living in an increasingly digital world, it can feel difficult to unplug from social media and step away from the computer. News channels know that dramatic, emotional stories sell and get attention, which is why negative media so often takes center stage. While it’s important to be aware of and engaged with the greater world, too much can lead to a distorted and pessimistic view of the world, as well as accompanying feelings of depression and anxiety.

Practice Gratitude 

In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, we can lose sight of the wonderful blessings and fortune we are given, even in the small things. Practicing gratitude is a great way to center yourself, reorienting to focus on the good things in life, rather than the bad. How you do so is entirely up to you, and a very personal choice. Religious practices, mediation, and daily or weekly journaling are all popular and worthwhile ways to do so. 

Have a Daily Routine

Having a daily routine is a great way to make sure you are taking time for yourself, while also giving purpose and structure to your day. Joining a club, taking a class, or scheduling meals with friends and family are all great ways to give set points in time to build the rest of your morning or afternoon around. Smart practices include:

• Starting your day with stretches and/or meditation
• Remembering to eat throughout the day
• Spending time outside
• Putting down the electronics an hour before you plan to go to sleep

Your routine could include general time frames (eat breakfast in the morning, go on a walk in the afternoon) or set times (make a reservation at a restaurant, sign up for a class). The most important part is that your routine is something you enjoy and will keep up with! 

Support Your Mental Health at The Virginian

From regular exercise classes to clubs and lifelong learning, retirement communities like The Virginian in Fairfax, VA, provide countless ways to have a rich social life, relaxing atmosphere, and engaging activities. Visit our website and contact us to find out if our welcoming retirement community in northern Virginian is right for you.