Engaging Ways to Improve Senior Mental Health
Mental health is important for everyone regardless of age, but we rarely think of how it affects seniors and adults. According to an editorial published in Mental Health in Family Medicine, more than 20% of people 55 or older have some sort of mental health problem.
Senior mental health can vary from a lack of motivation to full depressive disorders. Mental health in seniors can feel difficult to tackle, but senior mental wellness is something everyone should focus on.
If you're curious about the connection between aging and mental health, we're here to help. Read on to learn more about senior mental health support.
Listening to Music
One of the first things to try is to listen to music. Releasing stress through music is something that's been done for centuries.
According to the University of Nevada, a slower tempo of music can help to quiet your mind and relax your muscles. These factors can help to reduce stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms.
That said, what's important is that the listener enjoys the music. Slow, quiet, calming music that the senior hates won't help the mental state as much. They may instead become distracted by their dislike for the music.
Find good music that the senior likes. That also becomes a wonderful bonding exercise of trying new things, hearing new artists, and enjoying the benefits together.
Creative Outlets
Another great way to aid mental health in seniors is to focus on creative outlets. Creative outlets include things like:
- Reading and writing
- Music or instrumentation
- Painting or creating art
- Cooking or designing
These are only some of the many examples. Below are our favorites for seniors looking to focus on senior mental wellness.
Journaling
One of the most popular choices is journaling. Journaling is especially effective for seniors dealing with memory loss issues.
That's because the act of writing helps us process what we remember. We also immortalize it by writing it down, making it something we can check back on later.
If writing is difficult, you can instead use digital tools like a computer or laptop. Typing is often easier than writing for people dealing with arthritis, as well as a new skill for some seniors.
Painting
Painting and physical art are also exceptionally popular among seniors. Painting is a great way to get your emotions out and deal with some of the things impacting your mental health.
It's also typically low-cost, which makes it great if you don't want to invest too heavily. Painting is also a social hobby, which makes it great for socializing and also helps with mental health.
Cooking
Cooking has multiple benefits for seniors. One is that the act of cooking helps to keep many of our motor skills sharp. Cutting ingredients, stirring, moving pots, and other such items keep our bodies working the way we want them to.
The second benefit is that people who cook at home tend to eat healthier. According to the National Poll on Healthy Aging at the University of Michigan, about 34% of polled adults rated their at-home diets as excellent or very good.
The same poll also states that about 86% of people are confident cooking with basic ingredients. Furthermore, about 71% of people between the ages of 50 to 80 said they enjoyed cooking.
These numbers show that this is both a rewarding and enjoyable task. What's most important is to make sure that proper safety precautions are taken to avoid injury or emergency.
Work to Better Your Skills
Another great way to improve senior mental health is to focus on improving skills. Oftentimes, feelings of anxiety and depression arise out of boredom or feeling useless.
Working to improve skills helps to show that no one is ever done learning and growing. Consider the following:
- A language class
- Cooking classes
- Gardening lessons
These are all great ways to grow skills without much risk.
Socialize With Your Peers
Isolation is also another driving factor in aging and mental health. According to the National Institute on Aging, being alone leaves older adults vulnerable to loneliness and social isolation. These both can have negative effects on their health and well-being.
Many communities have ways to encourage socialization and interaction. These are a great way to make new friends and socialize. That way, there's always someone you can enjoy the company of, even on days without visitation.
Keep Your Mind Working
One wonderful task is to keep your mind busy. We often feel at our worst when we're bored, uninspired, and not interacting with anything.
Focusing on tasks that keep your mind easy will help to ward off mental illnesses. Things like puzzles or reading are a great way to keep our minds active in our advanced age. Learning new skills will also help.
Focus on Physical Health
Our minds and bodies are linked in every way. Your physical health will often affect your mental health, and vice versa.
For example, you may feel less energetic as a result of a poor diet. That lack of energy may turn into a feeling of malaise or inaction, which can be corrosive to your mental state.
According to the Mayo Clinic, depression and anxiety are both eased by exercise. That's because exercise helps us stay active and releases serotonin, which alleviates many mental illnesses.
Exercising at a senior-inspired fitness center can also help you to meet others, which will help your mental health further. Finding opportunities to exercise outside will also allow you to enjoy the benefits of fresh air and sunshine.
Understanding Senior Mental Health
Understanding senior mental health starts with understanding the link between aging and mental health. From there, focus on finding mental health resources for seniors and build a plan that focuses on a healthy mind.
At Preston Greens Senior Living, we're happy to be the premier senior living community in Lexington. We focus on providing person-centered care with an exceptional lifestyle that includes personal and memory care for our residents. Contact us today to see if we're the community in Lexington, KY, that can best serve you.