Improving Your Mental Health

According to the National Council on Aging, more than 25 percent of seniors 65 and older live with a mental health condition, most commonly anxiety and depression. Acknowledging mental health concerns can feel overwhelming, but it’s essential to understand that you’re not alone and treatment is available. Getting your mental health under control will significantly improve your quality of life and may bring joy back to aging.

Mental Health Concerns For Seniors

Mental health conditions don’t discriminate based on age. Seniors can struggle with various mental health conditions; however, the most common are depression and anxiety.

Depression is a mood disorder that affects how someone thinks and feels. This condition can range from mild to severe with varying symptoms, such as persistently feeling sad or hopeless, loss of interest in hobbies or loved ones, trouble sleeping and concentrating, changes in appetite, or thoughts of suicide.
Anxiety is another mood disorder where someone constantly feels dread or fear. Signs and symptoms of an anxiety disorder include feeling restless, trouble sleeping, irritability, headaches, and body aches.

Many factors can contribute to a person’s risk of depression or anxiety. In seniors, social isolation and loneliness are the most common risk factors. As people age and enter retirement, it’s common for them to become more restricted to their home. Aging also, unfortunately, comes with the loss of friends and losing those social connections. Health conditions can also add to a senior’s isolation and loneliness, as they may grow homebound.

Tips For Improving Your Mental Health

Mental health is part of your holistic wellbeing. Like physical health, you can take steps to decrease your risk of mental health conditions.

Manage Your Stress

Stress can contribute to many mental health conditions, so it’s something you want to know how to control and navigate. If you let your stress build-up, it can become chronic. A few stress management tips you can try when you’re feeling stressed include:

Exercise: When you exercise, your body releases endorphins that increase your mood. It also reduces hormones that contribute to stress.
Meditation: The practice of meditation is an ancient tradition that focuses on the mind-mondy connection. It helps tune out stressors while helping you reconnect with your body and breath to create calm.
Self-care: Spend time doing whatever activities make you happy. Self-care can be a spa treatment, a nice meal, reading, or even a good night’s sleep.

Socialize

Loneliness plays a major role in the mental health of seniors. Even if you’re homebound or don’t have loved ones nearby, there are still ways to socialize and reduce some of your feelings of loneliness.

Call a loved one for an impromptu conversation.
Plan a video call with loved ones.
Attend a neighborhood event.
Join a club, like a book club or crafts club.
Get on social media and connect with friends and family.
Hire a professional caregiver.

Take Care Of Your Physical Health

Your physical health can directly impact your mental health. The stronger you are physically, the easier it is to care for your mental health. Taking care of your physical self includes getting enough movement throughout the day, eating a well-balanced diet, and going to the doctor for annual appointments and follow-ups.

Work With A Mental Health Professional

Working with a mental health professional, such as a licensed therapist or psychologist, can positively contribute to your mental health. Even if you don’t have a diagnosed mental health condition, there are still benefits to speaking with a professional. Your mental health professional can give you tactics for lower stress, tips for improving your quality of life, and guidance on what to look out for when you age that may suggest a mental health concern.

How Visiting Angels Can Help

Visiting Angels takes a holistic approach to caring for our clients, focusing on each person's physical, emotional, and mental well-being. Whether clients need help finding a mental health professional to work with, want someone to accompany them on a workout, or simply want someone to talk to, the Visiting Angels caregivers are there to give their undivided attention.

Contact us today to learn more about our at-home care services, or schedule a complimentary consultation to visualize how Visiting Angels can contribute to your mental health.