Being Mentally Positive Will Help Those Age 50 and Beyond to Age Gracefully

Aging is a reality, but with a positive attitude, you can feel good about yourself, stay fit and healthy, and engage fully in life for a longer period of time despite aging. Being proactive with your health, both physical and mental, will improve your quality of life.

Depression is not a normal part of aging, yet depression can complicate aging. Depression among seniors is less prevalent than it is among younger ones. Over 50% of cases diagnosed in this age group occur for the first time in those aged 65 and over. Yet, depression, chronic illness, and mobility problems are a reality for many people as they get older. 

Although suicide rates in this age group are declining, they are still higher than in younger age groups. The reasons for late-onset depression are manifold. These include losing loved ones, battling a chronic disease, and losing touch with former work colleagues and other sources of social interaction due to retirement. 

Improving Your Mood After Age 50

If you are over 50 and entering your senior years, it is vital to take proactive steps to stay positive. Below are just a few easy, natural, yet proven methods to lift your mood and maintain a more positive outlook on life. 

There are some benefits of reaching your fifties. Many people have more freedom as their children have left home for college and beyond. Many people over 50 have started traveling more. You can even join groups like the AARP and qualify for many 'senior discounts.'

People tend to reach their peak earning years between ages 45 and 54, but their expenses start to decrease as their progress into their 50s and into their 60s.

There are things to be happy about as you get older. Yet, aging has complications and health concerns. Aging brings uncertainties about the future. There are things you can do to help yourself or a loved one improve their mood and outlook.

Creating an Inviting Home Atmosphere

People spend the vast majority of their time at home in the U.S. and many other countries, so designing an appealing home environment is essential. Untidiness and clutter can affect your mood and wrest from your motivation to invite others to your home. Messy homes can also pose fall and fire risks for seniors. 

You can create a peaceful atmosphere at home in additional ways. These include painting your interiors in calming colors (blue, green, or lavender), filling your home with indoor plants (known to battle stress), and relying on uplifting scents such as therapeutic grade citrus, peppermint, and lavender essential oils. You can either diffuse your chosen essential oils through a machine or place them in easily accessible bottles around your home. You can also burn candles that are infused with these helpful oils. 

Planting orange trees and lavender can help create an appealing outdoor relaxation spot if you have a garden.

Embracing the Power of Exercise

Yoga, walking in nature, and swimming are popular activities that can be performed by people of all ages and fitness levels. Regardless of the most preferred activity, select one and stick to it, as the benefits are numerous. 

One 2020 study by researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center found that seniors who took part in group exercise classes experienced decreased loneliness and social isolation. Another 2020 study published by the American Osteopathic Foundation found that yoga and meditation helped reduce chronic pain, stress, and depression. When it comes to mood-lifting activities, holistic ones like yoga, Tai Chi, and mindfulness meditation can be particularly powerful in terms of keeping stress, anxiety, and depression at bay.

Make a Healthy Diet a Priority

What you are is what you eat, goes the saying, and science has proven that it is true. It pays to consume a Mediterranean diet, consisting of lean proteins, grains, pulses, and plenty of fiber-rich fruits and vegetables to lift your mood. Fiber is crucial if you want to maintain a healthy variety of bacteria in your gut. Doing so can help lower your likelihood of depression, optimize your digestive processes, and benefit your immune system.

The secrets of staying positive during your senior years aren't secrets. They include consuming a healthy diet and staying active, which are key during all stages in life. Because you may spend more time at work than younger adults, it is also vital to create a beautiful, appealing home that is clean, tidy, and fragrant. 

Avoid Loneliness

Isolation and loneliness are sober problems for older adults. Social isolation and loneliness may also be bad for brain health. It has been linked to poorer cognitive function and a higher risk for dementia. Families often don't live close to each other as they did decades ago. It can be hard to avoid loneliness if you are not around friends and family.

Technology can help keep someone connected to their friends and family even if they live far away. Older people should embrace video chats, for example, to stay connected. Adult children should encourage their older parents to use technology. 

You should never be alone for long periods of time, no matter your age. Being involved in social activities, clubs, churches, and other groups will be with socialization which becomes essential as people get older.  

Don't Be in Denial

Being positive isn't always easy. Many people are in denial of aging and its consequences. We can ignore these issues and become depressed or embrace them and take proactive action to age more gracefully and happily. 

Retirement planning, including addressing long-term health care when you are younger, will benefit your mood and prepare you for the costs and burdens of longevity. LTC Insurance is part of the retirement equation. Most people who purchase LTC Insurance do so in their 50s.