Although many people understand the significance of taking care of their physical health, it is often difficult to remember to prioritize your emotional and mental well-being. As we age, however, it becomes even more important to give ourselves the time and attention necessary to stay healthy and happy, both mentally and emotionally. In this article, we will discuss the vital role senior wellness plays for nurturing our emotional and mental well-being
1. Finding Comfort During Trying Times
Coping with Stress
These are trying times that can lead to feelings of stress, anxiety, and isolation. Building resilience and learning to cope are key for maintaining wellbeing during these uncertain times. It’s important to remember that having difficulty experiencing positivity and comfort is understandable.
Spending time outdoors can be helpful in managing stress and anxiety. Seeing plants swaying in the breeze and hearing wind rustling through trees can be therapeutic. Try connecting with the natural world through activities like walking, running, or biking. Nature’s beauty can provide a much-needed escape from the chaotic world around us.
Taking a break from constantly scrolling on the news or social media can be healthy. The 24/7 news cycle can be overwhelming. Take a pause to read a good book or watch a funny movie. A few moments can feel like a much needed vacation. It’s okay to step away from anxieties and relax – it will be beneficial in the long run.
Connecting with family and friends is an important source of comfort. It can be hard to stay in touch while practicing social distancing, but digital hangouts, video calls, and text messages are great ways to keep in touch with loved ones. Or offer an open ear to those who need it. Self-care through meaningful connection is key.
Practice mindfulness with activities like deep breathing or mediation. Research suggests that calming and focusing the mind can help relieve stress. You can even adjust your posture to align your spine, relax your body, and increase your focus.
Finding comfort during these uncertain times may not be easy, but it is possible if you take some time for self-care. Remember: take a break, breathe deeply, and reach out to someone you trust.
2. Understanding Your Emotions During Transitions
When facing major life transitions, our emotions can often feel difficult and overwhelming to manage. It’s important to take the time to understand your emotions and how to cope with them in a healthy way.
Acknowledge Your Feelings
Allow yourself to sit with your feelings. Although it’s not always comfortable, recognizing your emotions for what they are is essential in understanding how to manage them.
- Take a few minutes to notice your thoughts and emotions without judgement.
- Identify the feeling and then practice accepting it.
- Allow yourself to feel your emotions rather than pushing them away.
Develop Healthy Coping Strategies
Rather than avoid your feelings or surround yourself with negative avoidance tactics, aim to find healthier coping strategies.
- If anxiety or worry set in during the transition, it may help to focus on a deep breathing exercise.
- Yoga and meditation can also be great de-stressors.
- Talk to a friend or loved one who this transition isn’t affecting as much.
Keep A Positive Mindset
It can be challenging to remain positive during a tough life transition, but reminding yourself of the possibilities that the new situation brings can be helpful.
- Focus on the goals you want to accomplish.
- Visualize your successes and how you will feel once you get there.
- Make a list of reasons you can be grateful for.
3. Activities to Cultivate Mental and Emotional Well-Being
Well-being is a product of physical, mental and emotional balance — the foundation of a healthy life. Here are three :
- Regular Meditation: Just five minutes of meditation per day can help to bring calm and focus to mind and body. Set aside an area in your home or workplace for meditation, and choose to practice when you need to re-set.
- Mindful Movement: Physical exercise can do wonders for mental and emotional health. Incorporate yoga, tai chi, dance and other low-impact forms of exercise into your routine, and observe the changes to your emotional and mental well-being.
- Proactive Reflection: Carve out some ‘me time’ each week to focus on reflection. Put pen to paper with journaling, or talk through your reflections with a trusted friend. Taking a few moments to pause and think can help to clear the mind and release mental stress.
Meditation helps to bring clarity to your thoughts, and a few deep breaths can settle mind and body. Putting aside a few minutes each day to sit in meditation will help to centre and ground you, no matter where you are.
Mindful Movement encourages focus on breath and body, and enables a connection to your inner self. Choose a gentle form of exercise that encourages breath control and focus on the body. Appreciating and understanding your body can bring a powerful sense of calm to mental and emotional being.
Proactive Reflection enables a time of conscious review of your thoughts, feelings and intentions. Taking time to go deeper into understanding yourself can bring a sense of clarity to decision-making and empower you to identify and address any potential stress.
4. Tools to Help Navigate Challenges With Ease
Living in a constantly changing world presents unique challenges, but with the right tools at your disposal, you can face them with ease. From apps to websites to reminders, there are many options available to help you maneuver the uncertainty of the modern age.
Productivity apps: Opt for productivity apps to keep you organized. A calendar app can remind you of upcoming tasks and appointments while a notes app can help you keep track of ideas and other information. A to-do list app can also come in handy for staying on top of tasks.
Professional or financial advice: There are many websites out there that can provide professional advice from legal to financial, providing a wealth of resources and information to guide you through choppy waters. Taking the time to read and understand this information can help you make informed decisions.
Mentorships or co-working communities: Building a network of peers can help make sense of any situation. This could include mentorships, co-working communities, or even organized meet-up groups that bring professionals together to share knowledge. For example, entrepreneurs often join online or in-person masterminds for support, advice, and accountability.
Mobile tools: Finally, don’t underestimate the power of mobile tools. Whether it’s a quick reminder in your mobile calendar or a journaling app with your thoughts, all of these resources are designed to help you navigate challenges with ease.
Nurturing our own emotional and mental wellbeing during our senior years is always achievable with the proper knowledge and support. So, no matter what our age, let’s make senior wellness a priority and embrace our emotional and mental well-being. There’s no better time than now to make an effort to take care of our wellbeing and nurture our inner-selves to enjoy our days of wisdom.
