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Many seniors have spent their entire lives taking care of others. They may have raised children, nursed a spouse through illness, or cared for their aging parents.
Now, it’s time to focus on themselves. Practicing self-care and wellness techniques is the key to living independently as you age.
Social Interactions
When most people think of self-care, they often picture bubble baths or a trip to the spa. These are good examples, but self-care is more than just pampering yourself – it’s about keeping your mind and body healthy.
This includes social interactions that are crucial for mental and emotional wellness. Studies have shown that feelings of isolation hurt health, leading to depression and other ailments. Social interaction is also key to staying safe, and the community can facilitate this at your independent living home or even in your neighborhood.
Independent living communities like Westminster Point Pleasant often have a blend of scheduled activities and time for personal downtime. This gives residents a daily routine they can look forward to and rely on, giving them comfort and consistency. This can include a morning walk, reading a book, or learning a new hobby. These simple routines can help seniors stay active, engaged, and happy during their golden years.
Physical Activity
While many seniors spend their lives caring for others, once they enter independent living, they may find that physical health and mobility issues become more of a challenge. This can lead to a lack of motivation and a tendency to remain sedentary.
Taking a walk outdoors or engaging in other physical activities can improve the health and well-being of seniors. It can also reduce stress, boost energy, and increase mood.
Often, older adults who participate in self-care activities experience less stress and a more positive outlook on life, making it easier to manage challenges. As the saying goes, “You can’t help anyone else until you take care of yourself.” This is especially true for seniors.
Engaging with Nature
When people think of self-care, they usually imagine taking a bubble bath or snuggling up with a good book. However, there’s so much more to it than that! Self-care is intentionally doing something you love and enjoy, such as walking in nature, spending time with friends, or even watching your favorite TV show.
Our research reveals that some residents define engagements with WSNP nature as static, focusing on objective characteristics of world-class nature rather than on the dynamic enactments that construct relational and emotional geographies. As a result, they engage with the natural environment with little potential for its transformative effects on their well-being.
In contrast, other residents engage with the WSNP nature as evanescent and individual versions of subjectivity and being-as-becoming, engaging continuously in the transformational enactments of the landscape. This approach shifts understandings of the biotic landscape as a space of enactments where older adults develop and transform relationships with nature to enhance active, healthy aging.
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Mental Health
Achieving mental wellness is a vital aspect of independent living. It involves coping with stress, developing positive self-esteem, and building strong relationships. It can also help you feel more confident and capable of managing everyday tasks.
Some people need support to improve their mental health, such as those who have a serious psychiatric condition that severely interferes with daily life or has a significant impact on physical functioning. These conditions include disorders such as anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder.
Prioritizing your well-being after working hard may sound like a self-centered goal, but it’s incredibly important. Practicing self-care and engaging in wellness activities can lead to better social interactions, further promoting your mental health. Moreover, it can help you stay healthy and reduce the risk of heart disease and other diseases. The good news is that many ways to practice self-care and achieve wellness exist!