Five Ways Seniors Can Practice Self-Care

We’ve previously discussed how important exercising is for seniors to live a healthy lifestyle. Equally as important is for seniors to upkeep their mental health. Practicing self-care is one way to be mindful about taking care of yourself. Prioritizing self-care is especially important for seniors, as the better you take care of yourself, the longer you remain healthy and independent. But what is self-care, and how can seniors practice it?

What is self-care?

The National Institute of Mental Health defines self-care as “taking time to do things that help you live well and improve both your physical health and mental health.” Generally, these healthy habits will help manage your stress, lower risk of illness and increase energy. However, these practices do look different for everyone. The fact about self-care is, it can be incorporated into your daily life in simple ways. Here are five ways seniors can add self-care into their routines and why they’re beneficial.

Eat healthier

Advice about healthy eating for seniors and how it can positively affect physical health has been given for decades. But did you know certain nutrients, like Omega-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties crucial for maintaining proper brain cell function? And, according to the Annals of Gastroenterology, the health of your gut microbiome, which is influenced by your diet, can impact your mental health. That’s why Capital Manor’s approach to simple, whole nutritional foods, has a positive impact on our residents’ overall well-being.

Prioritize sleep

The impact of sleep on mental health can’t be emphasized enough. Not only does insufficient sleep affect quality of life, it can also lead to long-term health consequences, like high blood pressure, stroke, memory problems and more. Some of this is due to the production of melatonin, a hormone the brain produces to encourage sleep, slowing with age. Setting a regular sleep schedule, avoiding naps, getting regular exercise for seniors and avoiding bright lights before bed, are some of the ways to prioritize higher quality sleep.

Connect with community

It’s normal to crave community and connection. For seniors especially, maintaining social relationships is essential for overall well-being. A report from the National Academies Press shows that 43% of those over 60 reported suffering from feelings of isolation, which can lead to mental and physical health problems. While technology is great and allows for new avenues to connect, like FaceTime and Zoom calls, getting together in person is still a vital part of any older adult’s social needs. Setting up regularly scheduled interactions, like Sunday dinner with friends or family, or joining special interest clubs that meet on a weekly basis, are a few ways to prioritize connection.

Learn something new

A recent study by the National Library of Medicine reported that the more time older adults spend doing activities associated with personal development, the better their attention span and memory. WebMD also found that adults ages 58 to 86 who took three to five new classes for 3 months increased their mental abilities to the level of people 30 years younger. What does this all mean? You’re never too old to learn something new – and learning something new might just be the thing that keeps you feeling healthy and young. From arts and crafts to games, there’s always something new to discover!

Spend time outside

According to the Mayo Clinic, time in nature, especially for older adults, has been found to improve mood, lower anxiety, improve cognition and sleep quality. One way we recommend seniors do this at Capital Manor is through gardening, which is a great way for seniors to increase physical activity, spend time outside and learn something new. Other great outdoor activities for seniors include birdwatching, walks and photography.

At Capital Manor, a healthy retirement is a given. We want you to stay strong, active and feel your best, so you can find your own unique way to embrace life better. With our 8 Dimensions of Wellness Program, we ensure you have opportunities to care for your mind, body and spirit every day. If our community sounds like the right fit for you or a loved one, contact us to learn more or ask any questions.