Promoting Senior Mental Health

Taking care of your mental health is just as important as your physical health. Mental illness is more common than many people think. About 1 in 5 adults experience some type of mental illness in a given year, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

For seniors, practicing good mental health habits is crucial. Risk of suffering from a mental health condition increases with age. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to promote senior mental health through simple lifestyle changes.

Tips for Keeping Your Mental Health Strong

At The Atrium at Navesink Harbor, we place emphasis on seven dimensions of wellness, and mental health is just one. It’s an important one, though, that’s often overlooked in every day society. Follow as many of these tips below to make sure your body and mind stay strong.

1. Stay positive. Your mindset and outlook on life influence how you feel both emotionally and physically. If you surround yourself with positivity, you are more likely to feel positive. If you surround yourself with people who are happy, you are more likely to feel happy. Countering negative thoughts with positive ones is a small but mighty step you can implement every day.
2. Challenge yourself. Every person needs to feel a sense of purpose. What’s your motivation for each day? What do you want to accomplish? What will make you proud of yourself? Set attainable goals on a regular basis. Try to accomplish something – even something small – each day. This will give you a sense of worth and purpose that’s like fuel for the mind and body.
3. Move your body. Physical health has an impact on mental health. For one, people who exercise on a daily basis experience the benefits of endorphins – feel-good hormones that are released when your heart rate goes up. Think of exercise as accomplishing two goals at the same time – it’s good for both physical and mental health.
4. Decrease your stress. Stress can easily create feelings of sadness, anxiety, and negativity. Try to narrow down the cause of your stress. For instance, maybe your schedule is too hectic. Or, maybe you’re not getting enough rest. Whatever may be stressing you out should be reduced as much as possible. This will only benefit your mental health in the long run.
5. Spend more time with the people and hobbies that bring you joy. One of the best ways you can promote your senior mental health is to boost the people and things that make you happy. Are there certain people in your life who bring out the best in you? Or hobbies and activities that bring you happiness? Focus on those areas of your life.

Learn More about the Atrium at Navesink

Mental health is a vital piece of overall wellness that’s all-too-often overlooked. Senior mental health is especially important for healthy aging. Don’t worry about drastic lifestyle changes – small daily habits can make a major difference. The Atrium is here to help. For more information about our wellness program or retirement community, contact us today.