It’s a common perception that as you age you are more likely to experience feelings of loneliness, sadness, and even depression. These feelings are deemed to be a result of hormonal changes, the acceptance of mortality, and the events that happen as you age. Perhaps most notably the fact that you start attending more funerals than weddings or other parties. 

However, the reality is that getting older doesn’t need to trigger these feelings. As a senior, you simply need to be aware of how to look after your physical and mental health.

Comfort First

One thing that many older people overlook when searching for emotional healing is the importance of comfort. You don’t need a huge house or luxury vehicle. What you do need is a comfortable chair, such as these hospital recliner chairs, a warm space, and the opportunity and ability to meet people. 

If your home or assisted living community has the basic comforts you need, that is, high-quality memory care such as dementia and alzheimer’s care, rehabilitation services, etc., then you can focus on improving your mental health and enjoying life, regardless of how much time you have left. You can find assisted living options through sites like www.summerfieldroseville.com/memory-care/.

You Time

Too many people worry about seniors being alone. The truth is that everyone can benefit from ‘you time’. It’s an opportunity to do whatever you want and this should be encouraged in older age. The trick is not to sit in your comfortable chair and think about things. Some people find that the loneliness affects them, or that there are more tasks than they can take care of on their own, including looking after their own health. In these cases, seeking the assistance of home health care professionals would be the way to go.

Your time is the perfect opportunity to try something different, meditate, or even learn a new skill.

Exercise 

Another important step in emotional healing is to look after your physical body. That means looking at what you eat and starting a gentle exercise routine. If you’re a senior and you’re just starting to exercise again then you need to start slowly and it is recommended you speak to a doctor first. 

Exercise makes you feel good which helps to improve your mental health. Alongside this, it strengthens muscles and bones, making it less likely you’ll fall or injure yourself. That means you’ll have more confidence which, again, helps emotional health. 

Mental Activity

Perhaps the key to emotional healing is to feel mentally strong and the best way to do this is to use your brain. You may not need to work anymore. But, that doesn’t mean you can’t be mentally active. Learning new skills, challenging yourself with puzzles, and even learning a new language are all ways in which you can improve the strength of your brain and your mental health.

Meet Friends

Most of the activities above can be done by yourself. But, they can also be done with others and it’s the perfect way to make friends and enjoy the company of others. This is potentially the most important element of emotional healing and mental strength as you age. Feeling connected makes it possible for you to do anything. 

Make time to meet friends and family members to make the most of life. It will help you to heal from any emotional trauma or doubts and ensure you enjoy the time you have left, it can be a lot longer than you think.