Coping Skills List for Seniors Facing Life Transitions
Did you know that up to 15 percent of seniors suffer from mental health disorders, according to the National Council on Aging? Even in your retirement years, it is important to manage your mental health and focus on positive aging habits.
Are you a senior in New Albany, IN, struggling with a major life transition? Stress management and emotional wellness are paramount for aging support.
Coping mechanisms are a helpful tool to instill for mental health in later life. In this article, we cover a coping skills list for you to navigate your next life transition.
Connect With Nature
Getting outdoors is a great way to boost your mental health and focus on the positive aspects of your life. Enjoying greenery in your community or going on a group hike positively impacts your health.
New Albany, IN, offers plenty of outdoor entertainment, including parks and hiking trails. Many of the parks have amenities for families, so you can bring a diverse group to enjoy the local outdoor scenery.
Try Mindfulness
Do you struggle with existing in the present moment without being overtaken by worries or fears? Mindfulness may be the solution you need to take control, focusing on gratitude and appreciation.
Mindfulness involves being aware of your thoughts and focusing on them without judgment. Then, you can simply dismiss the thoughts. The key is to avoid ruminating on them.
If you experience an intense emotion, accept and fully feel it. Once you do, the hardest part is over.
Work With a Therapist
Sometimes, you may need extra help when going through a life transition. A therapist can help you process your feelings in a healthy way and develop coping techniques specific to your situation.
Cognitive behavioral therapy, or talk therapy, is the most popular and well-known form of treatment. CBT involves discussing your past and present complications with your therapist and working together to find solutions.
Most therapists are trained to treat a wide variety of issues, including:
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Depression
- Trauma
- Family and relationship issues
If you have a unique circumstance, you may need to see a therapist who specializes in that area. For instance, if you are dealing with the loss of a child, it may be better to work with a grief therapist for more focused sessions.
With the advent of technology, you can cast a wider net to find a qualified professional whom you can connect with. You can also do sessions from the comfort of your own home, which can be beneficial for seniors with mobility or transportation issues.
Group Therapy
While individual therapy can be helpful, it can sometimes be a financial burden. This can be especially difficult if you are on a fixed income, such as Social Security or a pension.
Group therapy is an effective solution. You'll meet with a therapist in a small group, usually for patients with similar issues. Often, group therapy is for specific problems, such as:
- Grief
- Addiction
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Veterans
The tradeoff to the reduced fee is that you may not get as much time to discuss your problems directly with the therapist. However, group therapy has many benefits, including:
- A safe space to discuss your problems
- Those with similar mindsets or life situations
- An overall more cost-effective solution
- Potential to develop relationships outside of therapy
Journaling
Writing down your thoughts can be therapeutic, especially during challenging times. For instance, if you have lost a spouse, you may not have anyone in your life who can relate to your specific circumstances.
Try to make a habit of journaling every day. Even if it's only a few sentences, jotting down your thoughts in the morning or evening is a good method to clear your head and alleviate some of your stress or anxiety.
One of the biggest advantages of journaling is that you can go back and look at how you were feeling or what you were doing at a specific moment in time. As you age, those memories become increasingly valuable. Handwritten journals can even be heirlooms to pass down to your children or grandchildren.
Regular Exercise
Exercise should be a lifelong journey that continues into your senior years. Even if your body is slowing down, it is more important than ever to make sure you maintain your physical health and well-being.
Try to exercise several days a week, even if you need rest days in between. Some of the best senior-friendly exercises include:
- Chair yoga
- Water aerobics
- Walking groups
- Zumba
- Yoga
- Tai Chi
- Modified pilates
- Weight lifting
Remember, if you want to start a new exercise regimen, it's important to talk to your medical team first. Make sure the physical activity doesn't interfere with any existing conditions or side effects from medications.
Connecting With Others
Even if you thrive on being alone, it is still important to connect with important people in your life. Try to see your family and friends regularly and connect through meaningful activities, such as:
- Looking at old pictures
- Watching a movie together
- Doing a family craft
- Cooking or eating a meal
Fostering new friendships is even easier when you live in a senior living or assisted living community. Having a dedicated space for socialization and activities makes it easier to meet people with similar hobbies and interests.
Utilize This Coping Skills List
When you're going through a major life transition, taking care of your mental health doesn't have to be difficult. With this coping skills list, you can effectively manage your emotions in a healthy way.
At Bennett Place Assisted Living, we help you navigate big decisions in your senior years. Whether you're struggling with anxiety from moving to a new area or grieving the loss of a loved one, we can assist you every step of the way. We offer amenities such as personalized care, high-speed internet, and a full roster of activities for our senior residents.
Are you ready to take the next step to assisted living? Reach out to us today or visit us in person in New Albany, IN, to see our beautiful campus for yourself. We can't wait to meet you!