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Emotional Wellness Activities for Seniors in Harrisburg, NC

Written By: Terrabella Harrisburg
Emotional Wellness Activities for Seniors in Harrisburg, NC

Overall, self-reported happiness grows with age, namely among seniors aged 70 and older, according to AARP's Second Half of Life Study. About 34% of seniors aged 80 and over, plus 27% aged 70 and older, are "very happy."

 

However, neglecting your emotional health could cause your overall health and happiness to decline.

 

Before that happens, consider exploring these emotional wellness activities. With these healthy aging activities, you could boost your mood, outlook on life, and overall health. Improve your senior wellness in Harrisburg, NC, today!

 

Social Wellness Ideas

 

According to the National Poll on Healthy Aging, 34% of adults aged 50 to 80 feel isolated from others. Chronic loneliness can affect your mental, cognitive, and physical health. Over time, it can cause a decline in your general well-being and longevity.

 

In fact, social isolation and loneliness could potentially increase your risk of:

  • Heart disease
  • Obesity
  • Alzheimer's disease
  • A weakened immune system
  • High blood pressure
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Cognitive decline
  • Death

Instead of isolating yourself from others, explore your senior living community in Harrisburg. Their events and activities calendar can give you opportunities to connect with other seniors.

 

Spending time with other people can boost your physical, emotional, and mental health. According to one study, social connections are a potential remedy against cognitive impairment.

 

Engaging with others could exercise neuropathways. This could offer protection from age-related cognitive impairments like dementia.

 

Maintaining friendships can give you a sense of belonging.They could improve your self-confidence by amplifying feelings of self-worth.

 

To make new friends as a senior, consider doing the following:

  • Joining a hobby group
  • Joining a workout class
  • Volunteering
  • Joining a support group
  • Taking a class
  • Attending senior-focused groups

Don't be afraid to break the ice! It's likely the seniors in your community are nervous to do the same. 

 

Once you start building friendships, extend invitations. Invite your new friends to a coffee or lunch date. Fill your schedule to experience the benefits of having meaningful social connections firsthand. 

 

Here are some ways you can help each other.

 

Exercise

 

According to the CDC, seniors need a weekly mix of aerobic, muscle-strengthening, and balance activities. This includes:

  • 150 minutes of moderate or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity
  • Two muscle-strengthening sessions
  • Balance activities

Aerobic activities involve cardio. They're rhythmic, continuous, and meant to get the blood pumping. Consider hiking, dancing, or joining a water aerobics class. 

 

Muscle-strengthening activities require repetition. You can complete one to two sets per exercise. A set includes eight to 12 repetitions of the same activity.

 

Balance activities can strengthen your leg, abdomen, and back muscles. These exercises can reduce your risk of a slip-and-fall accident.

 

Explore your senior living community's fitness program for exercise classes. These may include:

  • Tai chi
  • Yoga
  • Pilates
  • Weight lifting
  • Using resistance bands
  • Cycling or biking
  • Dancing
  • Hiking
  • Walking

Regular exercise can stimulate serotonin production. Increased serotonin levels can improve your mood.

 

Exercising may help you sleep. Inadequate sleep could affect your mood and ability to function. 

 

Explore Hobbies

 

Remember, you can make new friends by engaging in hobbies like:

  • Painting
  • Drawing
  • Sculpting
  • Knitting
  • Birdwatching
  • Crocheting
  • Quilting
  • Hiking
  • Swimming
  • Cooking
  • Dancing
  • Baking
  • Arts and crafts

Discover new activities through your senior living community. Engaging in hobbies can benefit your cognitive function and relieve stress. They're a great way to foster social connections while improving your overall health. 

 

Completing your first solo ride or a complex puzzle will give you a sense of accomplishment. Each achievement can boost your self-confidence. Strengthening your self-esteem can improve your mood and lead you to conquer new challenges. 

 

Eat Healthy

 

Ask your friends to join you in making and enjoying a good meal. Choose dishes that feature whole foods, including:

  • Whole grains
  • Nuts and seeds
  • Fruits and vegetables
  • Legumes
  • Lean protein or fish
  • Low-fat dairy

Reduce your intake of processed foods, which are high in added sugars and fat. These foods can trigger inflammation. Inflammation is associated with chronic conditions like arthritis and heart disease.

 

If you don't want to cook, explore options through your senior living community's dining program instead. You can enjoy healthy, chef-prepared meals made with your dietary needs in mind. 

 

Emotional Support Aging

 

Prioritizing your emotional health can improve your overall well-being and outlook on life. Here are a few activities you can enjoy to improve your emotional health and resilience. 

 

Meditation

 

Meditation can help you achieve mental clarity. The practice may ease feelings of stress and anxiety to improve your emotional health.

 

There are different forms of meditation, including:

  • Emotion-centered
  • Contemplation
  • Body-centered
  • Mantra-centered
  • Visual-based
  • Mindfulness

If you're new to meditation, join a session through your community's events and activities calendar. You can also follow guided meditation sessions using a smartphone app. 

 

Journaling

 

Spend 15 minutes a day writing down your thoughts, feelings, and concerns. Journaling may help you:

  • Preserve memories
  • Sharpen information recall
  • Maintain a routine
  • Boost creativity
  • Relieve stress

You can find journaling prompts online for a spark of information. Look for a quiet spot to write daily to experience these benefits.

 

Support Groups

 

There are support groups for grief, chronic illnesses, and addiction. Consider joining a group to seek comfort. You can learn from similar experiences that other seniors have faced. 

 

Joining a support group may help you:

  • Navigate complex emotions
  • Gather practical advice
  • Gain a sense of community
  • Combat loneliness and social isolation
  • Develop coping skills
  • Feel validated and understood
  • Gain a shared sense of understanding

Memory Care Engagement

 

According to the Alzheimer's Association, about seven million Americans are living with Alzheimer's. Memory care engagement activities can help you sharpen your mind and maintain cognitive function. You can try:

  • Puzzles
  • Crosswords
  • Sudoku
  • Brain games
  • Cooking and baking
  • Arts and crafts
  • Music therapy
  • Pet therapy

Otherwise, explore your senior living community's memory care program. Their services can ensure you live in comfort.

 

Engage in Emotional Wellness Activities

 

These emotional wellness activities can improve your overall well-being after retirement. Explore a few options to determine which works best for you!

 

Remember, moving into a senior living community could enhance your overall well-being. Look no further than TerraBella Harrisburg. We offer exclusive lifestyle programs, including Sensations Dining, Celebrations Activities & Events, and SHINE® Memory Care.

 

Experience a higher level of care. Contact us now to schedule your tour.

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