Among seniors, for whom seeking emotional help is relatively stigmatized, some have made a point about the importance of emotional wellness and how to practice it.
Emotional wellness, says Debbie Kozdrowski, behaviour health practitioner with Aspen Primary Care Network, is about understanding how to interpret daily life for the better.
“We’re all connected, we’ve got mind, body, soul, spirit. When it comes to our emotional health, I’m always advocating that taking care of (it) is as important as physical health. We have stigma connected to (it), and it makes it more challenging. People think they should know how to do it, but nobody teaches us this stuff, or life gets in the way,” she said.
It’s that much more difficult for seniors, a generation that at this time is most affected by the coronavirus pandemic and, incidentally, the measures that are being taken to protect them.
“In any given day, we actually experience more positive than negative (emotion). All it takes is one thing to go wrong, something negative, and that’s where the mind goes,” said Kozdrowski.
But there are ways to focus the mind back to the positive. Kozdrowski says there are five key things they can do to practice emotional wellness: connecting, moving, calmness, sharpening the mind, and a positive outlook.
That we’re social beings is undisputed. But to overcome loneliness, Kozdrowski says some kind of connection can always be made.
“Connecting doesn’t mean that we have to be always face to face with someone. It’s making a point to phone somebody, going to the mail and actually waving to the guy across the street.”
It’s just as important, however, to move the body – a biological necessity and one that sends incentives to the brain that things are good.
"Movement can be the simple things: take a walk, take a stroll. The idea is you want to get your limbs and joints moving. That can be working in the garden, dance while you’re doing house cleaning, cleaning out the shed, cleaning out the shop.”
There is one caveat to movement: “Whatever you choose to do, you have to know your limitations,” said Kozdrowski, who encourages seniors to remember that retirement is not for rushing.
And since it’s not for rushing, it’s a good time to find the space for calmness.
“Ten minutes at the end of our day, even if it was a good day and we weren’t stressed, to let our bodies decompress, never with the use of electronics, could be anything from sipping that cup of tea, sitting in our favourite chair, stair at the stucco, something calming.”
Although they’re separate recommendations, seeking calmness for some has also been an opportunity to move.
“Many people will do things like morning stretches, different kinds of meditation, breathing exercises, yoga has become very popular. Those things are calming but so is nature, it’s so good for our overall health," said Kozdrowski.
"I encourage people to get outside, breathe in some of that fresh air. This is where we can slow down and pause."
Learning never stops either, and she clarifies that keeping the mind sharp is essential. Puzzles are a good example.
"Again you want to avoid anything electronic like watching TV that doesn’t improve concentration. It helps the brain start to connect, move and grow.”
Lastly, Kozdrowski is an advocate of positive outlooks on life “even if life throws you lemons.”
“It’s not about having rose-coloured glasses, it’s focusing on what’s going well. Things like counting your blessings, reminiscing. Humour, laughter and play are so good for our emotional well-being. More people are trying gratitude and noticing this makes a difference," she said.
"The key is you always want to think of something new, you don’t want to be redundant.”
And it’s all the more important to practice them at a time like this, when most recommendations feel like they’ve been shut off by the pandemic.
Andreea Resmerita, TownandCountryToday.com
Follow me on Twitter @andreea_res
