Mental health is essential for overall well-being, especially for seniors. Loneliness, isolation, and a decline in physical health can cast a long shadow on the golden years. Still, they ignore it and don’t pay proper attention. Studies reveal a concerning fact:
- Approximately 10%-15% of older Australians suffer from depression, while 10% suffer from anxiety disorders. (Source: Haralambous et al. 2009)
- Another report states that over 14% of adults aged 60 and above are facing a mental or neurological disorder (Source:World Health Organization (WHO))
These stats are painful, but there is hope. With the proper mental health care strategy, the elderly population can live their life with happiness. This article will find 10 effective ways for seniors to maintain good mental health.
Factors Affecting Mental Health in Seniors
Several factors contribute to mental health challenges among seniors:
1. Lack of Social Contact: Retirement from work or school, losing loved ones, and health or mobility problems can cause older people to have less social contact. This culminates in depression and loneliness.
2. Chronic Illness: Chronic diseases have slowly but surely become more prevalent with age. These diseases affect physical functionality and pose a significant danger to mental health.
3. Loss of Independence: Reliance on children to function in daily activities leads to feelings of anger and uselessness. It can result in lower self-esteem and feelings of worthlessness.
4. Cognitive Decline: Changes are a part of ageing. In older age, people lose the ability to remember things or think. These ideas will create anxiety and angst in older adults.
10 Ways to Maintain Good Mental Health for Seniors
1. Stay Physically Active
Exercise is key for one’s mental health. Activities such as walking, swimming, or yoga can boost one’s mood, reduce anxiety and improve one’s well-being. Physical activity triggers the release of endorphins, which are natural happiness and relaxation chemicals in the body. A new study revealed that older adults greatly benefit from strength training as it improves their sleep quality. Which, in turn, strengthens their mental health (Source:Study on Impact of Physical Exercise on Sleep Quality)
2. Maintain Social Connections
Staying social is equally crucial for one’s welfare. Keeping in touch with friends, family, or anyone in your community can significantly reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation. Social activities tend to provide aid and support the feeling of inclusion. Social connections are fundamental in helping prevent homelessness among older women.
3. Engage in Mental Stimulation
Like exercising, it’s key to keeping your brain active as well. Reading, solving puzzles or learning new things are simple ways to keep your brain active. These activities can help mitigate cognitive decline. Furthermore, mentally stimulating activities improve inculcation, memory and problem-solving adeptness.
4. Adopt a Healthy Diet
Understanding the connection between mental and physical health matters is vital in today’s autonomy-oriented world's care paradigm. Proper nutrition supports healthy body movement and increases self-care in older adults. Eating healthy food and maintaining a healthy diet is one of the most effective ways to maintain good mental health. Also, you can try natural supplements that provide daily magnesium and other essential nutrients for full body support.
Natural and easy to consume nutritional supplements like MamaCare’s Complete Nutrition can offer 32 nutrients for your physical and mental health.
5. Manage Stress Effectively
Consistent worrying can harm one’s mental health. Stress-relief activities, such as meditation, breathing exercises, and mindfulness, can aid in relaxation and lessen anxiety levels. All these techniques are important for stress as well as mental health.
6. Make Sure to Get Enough Sleep
Sleeping is vital to maintain mental and physical well-being. Therefore, take proper 7 hours of sleep. Also, ensure you have a sleeping schedule to avoid distractions. Good sleep is the best way to keep your mood relaxed, improve your thinking ability and support your health.
7. Seek Professional Help When Needed
It is best to see a healthcare professional for mental health concerns. Therapists, counsellors, and mental practitioners can offer adequate help and care. Individuals can significantly improve their condition and quality of life with proper support and treatment.
8. Maintain a Routine
Creating a daily routine is essential to help individuals build an identity. Older people can participate in physical activities. These can be any activities, like exercising, yoga, and attending social gatherings to improve mental health.
9. Foster a Positive Outlook
The way a person views things impacts their mental health. Daily activities like journaling and reminiscing about one’s favourite activities can boost mood and resilience in handling problems. Being surrounded by positivity and engaging in activities that bring joy enables one to live better.
10. Address Substance Use
Certain activities like drinking alcohol need supervision and moderation while dealing with mental health. A recent survey showed that some retirees could worsen their symptoms of depression due to drinking alcohol excessively, which needs to be tackled with healthier coping mechanisms.
Socialisation, exercise, diet, and other physical activities that put less stress on the mind can effectively improve a person's emotional state.
MamaCare Complete Nutrition for Healthy Adult Life
Whether you want to boost your immunity or complete wellness naturally, MamaCare Complete Nutrition supplement if a right fit for you. It’s a gentle formulation which delivers 32 nutrients to your body including critical minerals like calcium, magnesium, and iron.
MamaCare Complete Nutrition is a scientifically- formulated product that works even if you have a weak digestion. It contains prebiotic fiber (FOS) that supports your gut health and digestion. As older adults, having adequate nutrition can dramatically improves your mental and physical state.
Thus, with proper diet and regular physical exercise you can improve your mental health and stay active even in the golden years of your life.
