Jessica Dawn
Guest Author
As we age, it’s normal to experience changes in our mental health. We may become less resilient or have more trouble coping with stressful events. In fact, around 20 million older American adults have reported anxiety and depressive disorders in recent years. Fortunately, there are things you can do to keep your mind healthy and engaged as you age. Here are some tips for maintaining your mental health as you get older:
1. Get online counseling
Online counseling is an excellent option for older adults who are intimidated by in-person therapy or have trouble getting out of their house due to physical limitations. With a few simple clicks, you can find the therapist of your choice from the comfort of your home.
Additionally, with the federal government waiving restrictions on providing care across state lines, seniors can now access virtually any mental health professional of their choice. For instance, Utah joined a counseling compact that will allow its licensed counselors to practice in participating states. This trend is being seen across the U.S., with nurse practitioners in Minnesota now offering remote psychiatric mental health care services. Their assistance can be taken advantage of through telehealth platforms which provide state-wide access. The convenience of connecting with a therapist online makes it easier for older adults struggling with mental health to get help.
2. Get regular exercise
When you’re an older adult, it’s easy to feel like your body is letting you down. You might experience aches and pains or physical disabilities, or you might feel like you’re not as strong as you used to be. Despite these worrying concerns, getting some movement in is still important.
Older adults need more oxygen-rich blood to keep their brains sharp. That’s where exercise comes in—it helps boost heart rate and blood flow, contributing to better memory recall and faster thinking. Aside from this, studies have found that exercising can improve moods. This is because the body releases mood-enhancing hormones during physical exertion. As such, movement is one of the best things you can do for your mind and body. Evidence suggests that even a daily 30-minute walk around the neighborhood can do wonders for your mental health and quality of life.
3. Stay social
In a person’s later stages of life, it’s common to feel isolated and alone. As a matter of fact, over 40% of all seniors report feeling lonely. Loneliness can cause depression and anxiety. Over time, this can even heighten the risk of cognitive issues like dementia. Thus, staying in touch with family and friends is vital for mental health, especially as we age.
To maintain your social life, consider attending local events or joining clubs that interest you. This is a way to exercise a strong sense of community and remain involved in your area. Another way is to join social networking websites such as Facebook to connect with family and friends who live further away. By interacting with their status updates, you can maintain meaningful relationships and close the distance.
4. Keep in touch with nature
As older adults become preoccupied with family and work responsibilities, it can be difficult to decompress. To this end, nature is one of the most effective ways to reduce stress and improve a person’s overall mood. A study by the University of Exeter found that spending at least two hours a week in outdoor spaces positively boosts a person’s mental well-being.
Regularly basking in nature can help you maintain a healthy mental state. You can even do this during the winter months by going for a hike, playing in the snow with your family, or walking your dog in the local park. Alternatively, you can benefit even from just sitting under the sun or breathing in the fresh air. Because nature is known as a resource for healing, just spending a few minutes a day in nature can restore balance in our bodies and minds.
As we age, our mental well-being becomes even more crucial. Once we cross over into older adulthood, there’s no way to avoid the toll that aging takes on our bodies and minds. Fortunately, these four ways can help you take care of your mental health as an older adult, most of which are accessible regardless of your location or financial situation.
Written by: Jessica Dawn
For: livingto100.club
Dr. Joe Casciani is the owner and Chief Curator for the Living to 100 Club, a source of solutions to living longer and healthier, with a special focus on mindset and attitudes about aging. He has a 40-year history as a psychologist and manager of mental health practices specializing in behavioral health services with older adults. In addition to his work as a clinical consultant, he is an engaging and inspiring speaker, and helps audiences move beyond their questions and concerns about aging to create a vision of what is possible in the years ahead. He strongly believes there is value in helping people feel inspired about their future.