6 Ways to Promote Senior Mental Health
Most of us are aware of the benefits of keeping physically active, but perhaps not the importance of staying mentally engaged as well. As we age, our overall cognitive ability can fluctuate and result in a decline in memory. It's important to pay close attention to these changes and practice good habits to maximize our overall mental health.
Why Good Mental Health is Essential for Healthy Aging
Keeping cognitively stimulated is crucial to maintaining good health, improving quality of life, and simply enjoying one's retirement years. After all, the brain, like other muscles in our body, requires quality exercise and stimulation to stay engaged. Here are six activities that can help seniors maintain their cognitive health.
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1. Meditate
Meditation involves an intentional focus on the present and does not require much to get started. Even setting aside five or ten minutes of quiet mindfulness can help you refocus and greatly improve your mental health. Frequent participation in mindful activities also helps to boost concentration, reduce levels of stress, and promote relaxation. Think of it as a mental reboot that can help keep you in the moment and put everyday stressors in perspective.
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2. Get active
Regular exercise is essential to healthy aging for seniors. In addition to alleviating the aches and pains that come with getting older, staying active also boosts your mood and improves your cognitive function. The same chemicals that are naturally released in your body during exercise can improve your memory and overall brain health. Many retirement residences offer exercise classes for residents to enhance their physical and mental health. Anything from walking to light aerobics or yoga can yield significant benefits.
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3. Explore new—or revisit old—hobbies
Any activity that stimulates the mind—especially one that involves creativity—is beneficial for seniors’ cognitive health. Playing music, sketching, painting, and writing are all examples of activities that positively affect the brain. Games that stimulate the mind, like crossword puzzles and word searches, can also promote mental health and improve brain function. Retirement residences often have monthly calendars filled with a selection of entertaining activities to keep seniors engaged, including painting classes, themed social events, and group outings. It’s a wonderful way for seniors to stay healthy and have some fun in the process!
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4. Switch up your routine
Occasionally changing your daily routine can help you stay on your toes and keep you from entering a mental rut. This doesn’t require dramatic changes to your everyday activities. It could be as simple as choosing to wear an item of clothing that you normally wouldn’t find in your wardrobe, introducing new scents to your living space, taking a different path during a walk, or rearranging objects around your room. Incorporating these kinds of changes into your daily lifestyle keeps the mind sharp, adding to your overall well-being.
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5. Journal
Keeping a journal and writing down your personal feelings, memories, and insights is highly beneficial for seniors’ mental health. According to WebMD, journaling can reduce anxiety, improve self-awareness, and regulate emotions.
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6. Sleep well
A good night's rest is important for proper brain function. Anyone who has been deprived of even just a few hours of sleep is all too familiar with the groggy, sluggish feeling that sets in the next day. Try to get around eight hours of sleep each night for optimal mental function, and rest when you're feeling tired.
How retirement residences support cognitive health for seniors
Retirement residences like Chartwell offer a variety of programs designed to improve cognitive function and keep residents both physically and mentally active. Chartwell’s LiveNow life enrichment program offers memorable experiences, both big and small, that enrich lives and create opportunities to make connections with new friends. LiveNow brings together six dimensions of wellness: spiritual, physical, emotional, intellectual, social, and vocational. Visit our Life Enrichment page to learn more about how living in a retirement residence can improve cognitive health for seniors, or download our comprehensive Healthy Aging in Canada guide.
*The following sources provide references for this blog, in order of appearance:
- 1. Canadian Living. "22 ways tokeep your mind sharp", Online: https://www.canadianliving.com/health/prevention-and-recovery/article/22-ways-to-keep-your-mind-sharp
- 2. Advent Health. “8 tips to get organized to improve your mental health”, Online: https://www.adventhealth.com/blog/8-tips-get-organized-improve-your-mental-health
- 3. WebMD. “Mental Health Benefits of Journaling”, Online: https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/mental-health-benefits-of-journaling