It’s an unfortunate fact that as we age, our mental agility begins to decline. And though each person is different, once you pass retirement age, mental health becomes a primary concern.
Throughout our lives we have the opportunity to perform activities which can sustain and nurture our mental health. And though this can be easier said than done in many cases, once we’ve aged significantly, our mental health can begin to show its age. But even in old age there are many things you can do to keep your mental health in check.
Nobody knows how aging will affect them until they’ve reached a certain milestone. And if you have a relative or loved one who needs help coping with declining mental health, it’s probably time to step in and offer a hand.
Mental Age In Old Age: 3 Activities That Will Help Improve Your Mental Health As You Age
Thankfully, there are many things you can suggest to your loved one that may help with maintaining mental health. And in the following we’ll explore a few of these choices.
Care Facilities
Perhaps the first thing you’ll want to consider is whether or not your loved one needs specialized medical care or supervision. And if it’s deemed necessary, such as if they become a danger to their own safety or to the safety of those around them, a long-term care facility may be the best option.
There are a few different types of care facilities. But nursing homes are often the types of facilities that specialize in 24/7 care and supervision of your loved one. However, this is not an easy decision to make by any means. And if you’re worried about your loved one, properly vetting the nursing home and monitoring the care that they receive is the best strategy. Even with due diligence, many people still suffer from abuse in nursing homes.
Other care options you may consider are allowing your loved one to age in place if he or she is able to care for him or herself on their own. Or you may elect to have them live with you if you’re able to provide adequate care.
Being Active
One of the best things that can help with mental health is being active. And many studies have shown that daily activity in place of a sedentary lifestyle can alleviate anxiety and depression.
The best activities to engage in are those that offer a bit of physical exercise. But you have to remember that you don’t want your loved ones to “overdo” it as well. As such, choosing a few moderate daily activities is most recommended.
A few activities to consider are as follows:
- 30 minutes of daily exercise
- Hiking or walking
- Fishing
- Golf
- Swimming
- Running
- Aerobics
- Bicycling
Scientific studies have shown the relationship between greater mental health and exercise. And the more you can entice your loved one to exercise and be active, the better they will likely feel afterwards. Additionally, making daily exercise into a routine that you loved one can build their life around is a great way to keep them occupied and have something to look forward to each day.
Mental Exercises
Mental health requires stimulating the mind and exercising the brain. And this is because just like any muscle, the brain itself needs to be stimulated to operate properly.
Mental exercises are quite varied. But each one offers something unique as well. For example, doing crossword puzzles or jigsaw puzzles engages areas of the brain that handle problem solving. And these sorts of activities may allow your loved one to keep his or her mind sharp.
Another exercise to consider for keeping mental health in check is meditation. And meditation has also been proven by science to not only stimulate the mind, but to relax the body and offer one a much greater sense of peace and comfort.
Perhaps any mental health exercise is also best when incorporated with spending time in nature. And this is because our connection to the natural world goes well beyond necessity. In fact, humans have depended on nature for thousands of years. And even though we may have attempted to remove ourselves from nature in the modern era, reconnecting with nature has often been utilized as a remedy for many health concerns.
Conclusion On Mental Health In Old Age
Maintaining mental age in old age is of paramount importance because our mental health may begin to decline as we age. But if we keep our minds healthy through stimulation and regular activity, we may just be able to glide into old age with most of our mental faculties intact. And if your loved one is having trouble coping with mental health, considering the points mentioned here will prove to be a great starting point.
Also Read
10 Facts About Mental Health Everyone Should Know
31 Ways To Improve Your Mental Health and Well Being.
50 Journal Prompts for Mental Health
How To Use Yoga For Mental Health and Personal Growth
Kinging Queen
Hi, my name is Jennifer. I am an Engineer by day and a blogger 24/7. I am passionate about Self Improvement & Productivity and this blog is dedicated to that passion! I hope you find it worthwhile each time you visit! If you do find anything helpful on here, kindly share because sharing is caring!
