As we head further into fall, we celebrate a change in the air that comes with a new season. We also celebrate National Healthy Aging Month in September, which is a month dedicated to encouraging individuals to adopt a healthier lifestyle as they age and focus on taking precautions to ease the challenges that come with aging. We will use this opportunity to share signs that your body is aging, tips to improve mental health while aging, and symptoms to be on the look out for.

According to National Today, September is Healthy Aging is a brand that started over 30 years ago in 1992 when people born in the 1940s were turning 50. It spread the message that it is possible to adopt a healthier lifestyle at any age and mature gracefully (source).

Signs That Your Body Is Aging

Typically, we begin to see changes in our bodies starting in our 40s, and by the time we are 50 years old, these changes become more noticeable.

Some signs that your body has started the aging process:

  • Metabolism slows
  • Weight gain might occur
  • You may notice more aches and pains are present
  • Memory issues might begin for some individuals

Adopting a healthy lifestyle as you age is so important. Read these tips to improve mental health while aging from Family Counseling Service.

Tips to Improve Mental Health While Aging

While we cannot stop time, there are many ways in which we can slow the effects of aging and improve our mental health in the process. Some tips to improve mental health while aging:

  1. Get plenty of sleep – Typically, eight hours of sleep a day is satisfactory for most adults. Here are some healthy habits to improve sleep.
  2. Eat a well-balanced diet – A healthy diet consisting of fish, fresh fruit, and vegetables provides your body with the proper nutrients to function at the highest possible level.
  3. Limit alcohol and nicotine intake – Alcohol has damaging effects on our vital organs and can interfere with certain medications. Nicotine is a known carcinogen that can lead to cancer. It is best to limit or avoid them both.
  4. Become active – Physical exercise helps the body and mind. Walking, Yoga, and Pilates are terrific ways to get or stay in shape without being too high-impact and stressful on the body.
  5. Engage in social activities – Socializing with family or friends helps to keep you feeling young.
  6. Mental stimulation – Do not forget to exercise the brain. Doing crossword puzzles, playing card games, drawing, and even coloring are excellent activities for mental stimulation.
  7. See your physician regularly – Proper preventative health care can enhance your quality of life and prevent you from having more health issues later in life.
  8. Laugh! – They say laughter is the best medicine, and it is true. Laughter releases chemicals in the brain called endorphins that make us feel good.
  9. Watch your favorite television show or listen to music – It keeps your brain stimulated and is just enjoyable.
  10. Identify and reduce stress in your life – Know and understand when you are stressed. Pay attention to your moods. Do you have the blues, or are your moods indicative of depression?

Adopting a healthy lifestyle as you age is so important. Read these tips to improve mental health while aging from Family Counseling Service.

Common Signs of Depression

Depression affects about 1 in 15 people, or approximately 6.5 million people agesd65 and older. Women are traditionally at a higher risk of depression than men. However, that is not to say men can not or will not suffer from depressive symptoms. 

Remember that depression is NOT a typical sign of aging. You should seek support if you are having any of the symptoms below.

Some common signs of depression can include but are not limited to:

  • Feeling helpless or worthless
  • Being preoccupied with mortality or thoughts of dying
  • Feelings of guilt
  • Changes in appetite or diet
  • Loss of motivation or desire to engage in life
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Withdrawing socially from family and friends
  • Abuse of alcohol or drugs
  • Concentration issues or frequent memory lapses
  • Feelings of anger or irritability

Physical health is essential, but so is good mental health. Family Counseling Service is here to help improve mental health while aging. We are committed to providing mental health services to help individuals in our community improve their quality of life. We offer counseling services to individuals, couples, and families struggling with life stressors and issues that come with aging.

Call Family Counseling Service at 630-844-2662 or contact us online to schedule individual therapy for yourself or anyone in your family who may need support.

 

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