To create a positive mindset as a senior, consider keeping a gratitude journal, starting a meditation practice, performing mind-body exercises such as Tai Chi and yoga, and participating in hobbies and other mentally stimulating activities.
According to AARP, close to 90% of adults are optimistic about their future. While many people remain optimistic about aging, others find it more difficult to keep a positive mindset, especially when going through significant transitions. Located on the Newport Beach coastline, seniors moving into assisted living in Corona Del Mar, CA, should consider learning how to create a positive mindset in aging.
Becoming more positive isn't as hard as it seems. Here are a few ways that you can develop a more positive mindset as a senior.
Gratitude is perhaps the number one way that seniors can improve mental habits and stay optimistic in later life. While there may be things seniors don't prefer in their lives, there are always things for them to be appreciative about as well.
Getting into the habit of thinking about those things or keeping a daily gratitude journalcan help orient you to being more positive and looking for the good rather than the bad in your life.
Meditating is a helpful practice that can give you some daily calm and relief. By meditating for at least five or ten minutes a day, you can recenter and become more aware of your thinking patterns. This can help you begin to replace negative thoughts with more positive ones.
Mind-body exercises such as Tai Chi and yoga can also be helpful for calming the mind and helping you to cultivate a positive mindset in your life. Consider participating in a group fitness class to experience the benefits of these exercises and to gain insight into how to improve your breathing and relax both your body and mind at the same time.
Sometimes, a more negative mindset arises as a result of neglecting the basics. Make sure that you're practicing good habits in your daily life and are doing simple things that have a profound effect, such as getting good sleep, eating nutritious foods, and doing other things to take care of your mind and body.
Staying active and learning new things can be incredibly helpful for improving your mindset and optimism for seniors. Consider spending more time participating in activities you've never tried before, as well as digging deeper into your favorite hobbies. Doing so can not only be a lot of fun but can also help to bring more excitement into your life and contribute to a more positive outlook.
There are various signs to look for that demonstrate that a senior may be declining cognitively. One of the first signs that is often evident is a loss of memory. A senior who is suffering cognitively may fail to remember things as well as they once did and could have trouble communicating and finding the right words to express themselves. They may become more forgetful or disoriented.
Other signs that may indicate a senior's decline include:
Seniors who want to stay more mentally active and maintain cognitive function well into old age can do a variety of things to help support this goal. Finding ways to step outside of their comfort zone and learn new things is always helpful.
Some activities that a senior may want to participate in include:
Adjusting to assisted living takes time, but the exact length of time it takes an individual senior will depend on a few different factors. A senior who has plenty of family support, has a positive mindset, and is open to change will be able to make the transition more easily than others.
Some seniors will be able to make the transition and become comfortable in their new environment after just a few weeks. However, many others will need to take three to six months or longer to adjust to their new surroundings.
The most common mental disorders of the elderly are, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), anxiety and depression. These two mental disorders are both very common in seniors, and many factors contribute to their presence in the elderly population.
A senior's living conditions, their physical health, and their access to support and services can all affect their mood and whether they're facing mental disorders such as these.
When treating anxiety in the elderly, it's ideal to use a variety of different treatments together. Working with a therapist can be a good idea, as they can determine the best approach for a person based on their individual needs and preferences.
In some cases, a therapist may recommend antidepressants, but there are other treatment options as well. Some things that a therapist may recommend for a senior include making basic lifestyle changes, such as exercising more often, sleeping well, and eating properly. They may also recommend reframing techniques, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) techniques, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques to improve healthy thinking in older adults.
Figuring out how to create a positive mindset is essential if you want to age well and enjoy your life to the fullest. Keeping a gratitude journal, meditating, and performing mind-body exercises such as Tai Chi and yoga are all ways that you can become more positive as you age.
With amazing amenities such as an in-house coffee shop, a craft room, a library, and salon and barber services, Crown Cove has a lot to offer seniors in assisted living and memory care. Contact us today to learn more about why seniors love our welcoming senior living community.