Emotional Wellness Activities for Seniors in Carroll, OH
According to the National Council on Aging, depression affects over 21 million US adults annually. Disability, social isolation, and chronic illnesses can put you at risk. Unfortunately, many seniors don't seek treatment to improve their emotional health.
Improving your emotional resilience can benefit your mental and physical health. With the right emotional wellness activities, you can enhance your overall well-being and quality of life.
Not sure how to develop a wellness routine while living in Carroll, OH? Read on for our senior emotional health tips today!
Senior Emotional Health
Prioritizing social connection for older adults can help you thrive and survive. According to the National Institute on Aging, social isolation and loneliness may leave you vulnerable to:
- High blood pressure
- Cognitive decline
- Alzheimer's disease
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Heart disease
- Obesity
- A weakened immune system
- Death
People who find themselves unexpectedly alone due to separation from family, lost mobility, or the loss of a loved one are at particular risk. On the other hand, people who engage in meaningful activities with others usually live longer. Having strong social connections may give you a sense of purpose in life.
According to this review, socializing promotes cognitive stimulation. This may help reduce your risk of cognitive decline.
Neglecting your emotional health, on the other hand, may increase your risk of depression. Common symptoms include:
- Irritability
- Difficulty concentrating
- Persistent anxiety or sadness
- Difficulty sleeping
- Eating more or less than usual
- Ignoring responsibilities
- Lost enjoyment in activities
- Thoughts of death or suicide
- Feeling worthless or hopeless
- Fatigue/low energy
Consult a doctor if these symptoms sound familiar. You can also find resources through your local senior living community. Otherwise, depression can affect your ability to function and quality of life.
Mental Wellness Ideas
Prioritizing your mental wellness may help:
- Improve your memory
- Slow cognitive decline
- Improve decision-making skills
- Reduce the risk of anxiety and depression
- Improve relationships
- Encourage you to participate in activities
- Boost your self-esteem and confidence
- Promote a positive outlook on life
- Improve problem-solving abilities
- Improve life satisfaction and mood
Here are a few mental wellness ideas you can add to your routine.
Socialize
Remember, loneliness can have mental health consequences. Try scheduling social events to maintain strong relationships. Consider exploring your senior living community's events and activities calendar to make new friends.
Otherwise, try volunteering. Giving back to your community can grant you a sense of purpose.
Learn New Skills
Learning new skills can stimulate your brain, encouraging the formation of neural pathways. Improving your neuroplasticity can improve your memory and slow cognitive decline.
Consider:
- Learning a language
- Playing a new instrument
- Cooking new dishes
- Continuing your education/taking classes
- Engaging in new hobbies
- Learning new dance routines
- Learning a new sport
Explore your senior living community to find more learning opportunities.
You can further improve cognitive skills with games and puzzles. Use this as an opportunity to spend time with friends. Challenge one another with:
- Crossword puzzles
- Card games
- Sudoku puzzles
- Jigsaw puzzles
- Trivia
Relax
Dedicate time to recharging your mind and body. Seniors need seven to nine hours of sleep each night. Getting enough rest can benefit your memory, concentration, and cognitive function.
Consider journaling or meditating if you can't relax. Meditation may help:
- Increase self-awareness
- Improve memory and focus
- Enhance emotional regulation
- Improve sleep quality and duration
- Ease stress and anxiety
- Improve relationships
Journaling can help you process daily events or complex thoughts and feelings. It may help improve your emotional regulation.
Assisted Living Engagement
For aging support in OH, turn to your local senior living community. Here are a few ways their assisted living engagement can benefit your emotional health.
Share Meals
Remember, spending time with other seniors can help you avoid the consequences of social isolation. Invite friends to join you for meals. You can enjoy a delicious, nutritious dish through your senior living community's dining program.
Prioritize eating nutritious whole foods, including:
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Legumes
- Nuts
- Seeds
- Lean protein
- Fish
- Whole grains
- Eggs
- Healthy fats
These foods are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Antioxidants fight free radicals, which can cause cellular damage. Free radical damage is associated with chronic health conditions.
Try snacking on foods that can benefit your cognitive health, such as:
- Berries
- Green, leafy vegetables
- Fatty fish
- Tea and coffee
- Walnuts
Exercise
Exercising can boost your emotional, mental, and physical health.It triggers the release of dopamine and serotonin, which can improve your mood.
Explore your senior living community for fitness classes, including:
- Pilates
- Tai chi
- Yoga
- Swimming
- Water aerobics
- Balance exercises
- Stretches
- Weight lifting
- Cycling
- Biking
- Resistance band exercises
- Hiking
Aim for 150 minutes of aerobic activity and two instances of strength training a week. Exercising regularly may help:
- Relieve stress
- Lower risk of weight gain
- Improve sleep quality
- Lower risk of type 2 diabetes
- Improve balance and coordination
- Reduce anxiety and depression symptoms
- Improve bone health
- Lower risk of dementia
- Increase longevity
Hobbies
Explore your senior living community's events and activities calendar.You can engage in fun hobbies like:
- Arts and crafts
- Sports
- Dancing
- Knitting, crocheting, quilting
- Sculpting
- Painting and drawing
- Swimming
- Hiking
- Birdwatching
- Woodcarving
Explore a range of activities to enhance your skill set. Remember, learning new skills can improve your cognitive health.
Support Groups
Turn to other members of your community if you're struggling with grief, illness, or addiction. Joining a support group can help you develop healthy coping skills.Their guidance can help you navigate difficult situations.
Remember, social isolation can compromise your emotional health. Joining a support group can validate your feelings and improve your emotional resilience.
Engage in Emotional Wellness Activities
Engaging in emotional wellness activities can benefit your overall health. Remember, you're not alone. Turning toward members of your Carroll, OH community may help.
Our team at Carroll Place Assisted Living is here to offer thoughtful, compassionate care. We offer an array of amenities to ensure your convenience, comfort, and enjoyment.
Discover our exclusive lifestyle programs, including engaging activities, community outings, and an active wellness program. Our apartments are also designed to offer modern conveniences to make each day more enjoyable. Contact us now for a tour.