BA50 TalkersThe subject of mental health has received increased media attention and discussion in recent years. One key factor in this was the recent Covid-19 pandemic. As the virus spread around the world, millions of citizens were forced to adhere to government lockdowns to slow down the infection rate and protect key healthcare facilities from being overwhelmed. For some people, this meant being isolated in their own homes with no other social contact for weeks at a time. Inevitably, this led to some people experiencing mental health difficulties as a direct result of a lack of social contact. Today, mental health is better understood and discussed in society. It’s important to consider mental health aspects as people enter the later stages of life, as isolation and poor mental health can be common in the older generation. In this article, three unique ways to boost your mental health in later life will be discussed.
Regular exercise
Taking part in regular exercise has numerous health benefits. For example, it can help to lower blood pressure, which can be vital in lowering the risks of suffering from a stroke in later life. Elderly people gain significant benefits to their mental health by taking part in regular exercise routines. After a workout or moderate physical activity, the body releases a range of hormones (such as dopamine) which help to improve a person’s mood and promotes feelings of contentment and well-being. Put simply, exercise is a vital activity to improve mental well-being and elderly people should take part in exercise routines wherever possible. Click here for examples of exercises that are suitable for the elderly and will help to promote improved mental health.
Consider residential facilities
As previously mentioned, feelings of isolation and loneliness can have a significant impact on a person’s mental well-being. In later life, many elderly people live alone and have little in the way of social contact with others. Health problems may also become an issue that impact on mental well-being. In these circumstances, it can be highly beneficial to consider moving out of your home and choosing to live in a professionally run assisted living facility. Some of these establishments will also offer memory care facilities such as memory care in Scottsdale, AZ. These types of establishments help residents who may be experiencing poor mental health due to conditions such as dementia and can offer bespoke care plans to improve residents’ quality of life. In short, these facilities are ideally suited to elderly people who are lonely, isolated, or suffer from conditions that impact on their mental well-being.
Enriching hobbies
As a final point, hobbies can provide immense levels of satisfaction and enjoyment for the older generation. By undertaking an interesting hobby or pastime, the brain is focused on the activity and concentration levels can be improved. Hobbies such as learning to paint or play a musical instrument can give a sense of achievement when proficiency in the subject improves. These activities can be something to look forward to and can make any day enjoyable. To sum up, enriching hobbies and pastimes can be incredibly important for senior citizens and can boost mental health whilst providing feelings of satisfaction and fulfilment.