For many seniors, they’ve spent their lives taking care of others. This can make aging care challenges so much more difficult since they must rely on others to take care of them. As we age, our brains also change, and for many it becomes more difficult to remember things. Often, losing the routine of a career, caring for children as they grow and move out, people moving away, and friends their age begin to pass away. These losses are often difficult for seniors.
Therefore, it’s so important for seniors to make time for what’s important to them as they age. Studies have found that seniors who are happier are at least three times less likely to develop issues with physical activity opposed to those who are unhappy.
There’s not one specific way to pursue interests as each person will find different pursuits to make them happy, but the key is to experiment and find out what works best. Here are a few ways to start:
Stay Connected with Family, Friends and Community
Being social is good for seniors to maintain their sense of purpose, self-worth, and self-esteem. Loneliness can take a toll on anyone, but seniors are some of the hardest hit by isolation as they experience changes in their routines and levels of independence. Working with your care manager will help find social outlets or activities that are enjoyable to the older adult.
Finding Purpose and Joy
As we age, we no longer have the same commitments to fill our time, and this can leave a void. We may move to a new place, retire, or our children move out; however, this provides an opportunity to find exciting new adventures to fill this space. Now is a great time to learn something new, pick up a hobby, spend time in nature, or get involved in your community. It’s important to find something that is meaningful to you.
Physical Fitness
Exercise is a great place to start for feeling good. Exercise releases endorphins which are the body’s feel-good hormones. Besides being healthy, it boosts your mood and your energy levels.
Even if you’ve never exercised before, it’s not too late. Incorporating just light workouts into your routine can reduce the chance of becoming disabled by 25%. When seniors maintain an active routine, they may also experience a reduced risk of cardiovascular problems, improved sleep, lower blood pressure, relief from chronic pain and illness, and an improved immune system. This can be a great place to connect with others – there are a multitude of classes geared towards seniors, or if that’s not your thing maybe you can find a buddy to take a walk with today.
Quality Sleep
Sleep problems become much more common as we age. Developing a healthy nighttime routine can help make sure that you’re getting enough rest. Having a bedtime ritual free of artificial lights and screens in a cool dark place with quiet music can help you wind down. You should aim for about seven to nine hours of sleep each night. If you’re feeling tired as the day goes on it may be a sign that more nightly sleep is needed.
Meditation and Mindfulness
With aging, many seniors experience struggles such as grief, cognitive decline, memory loss, depression, anxiety, and stress. Meditation has been found to provide many positive benefits for mental, physical, and spiritual health.
Eating Better Foods for our Health
How we eat has a direct effect on how we feel, and our overall health. Our bodies change as we age, and eating a well-balanced diet is an important part of staying healthy as you grow older. This helps you remain energized, maintain a healthy weight, and ensures your body is receiving all the vitamins and nutrients that it needs.
It’s very important to make sure you or your aging family members can use time in a way that helps live the best life possible. Setting goals with one of our experienced care managers can help set you on the right track to truly be able to enjoy your golden years. We’re here to help you make the most of your time by helping you implement ideas that make your aging challenges less stressful.
If you or someone in your family are facing aging challenges, please give us a call at (203) 258-2640 or email us at info@growingoptions.com. We’ll be happy to assist!