Emotional wellness

It’s key to good mental health

Your emotional well-being is closely tied to your physical health, social connections, attitudes and beliefs, and other factors.

Many seniors enjoy the freedom of retirement, fewer responsibilities, and more time for travel and other leisure activities. For others, ill health, loneliness, reduced income, and dependency on others present ongoing challenges in their lives.

Keep up social ties and help others

Social contact can make a big difference in how you feel and in how well you cope with problems, both large and small. People with strong social networks are often healthier and happier than those with few social connections. In addition to spending time with family, keeping in touch with old friends and making new ones is equally rewarding.

Combine physical and social health by joining a walking club or taking an exercise class.

You can also get involved by volunteering to help others or joining a club or organization.

• Study architecture in Venice, cross-country ski in rural Vermont, or visit your local museum. Road Scholar (formerly known as Elderhostel), an educational travel organization for adults 55 and over, offers learning adventures in more than 90 countries and all over the United States.
• Help others by sharing your wisdom. Contact your local senior center, volunteer center, or schools in your area, to find out how you can share a lifetime of knowledge and experience.
• The Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) is a group of dedicated volunteers providing business counseling to small businesses.
• If you're up to the challenge, the Peace Corps provides an opportunity to travel and volunteer at the same time.

Keys to staying positive

Maintaining relationships with supportive family members and friends, eating well, staying active, and keeping a positive outlook on life are some of the things you can do to help you through difficult times, and they can make a big difference in how healthy you are and how you feel.

Expect good things to happen. Count your blessings and express thanks. Add humor, laughter, and fun into your day. Our attitudes really can affect our health and how we feel. Learn how positive thinking can improve your overall health.

Take some time each day for yourself

Here are some suggestions to help you stay emotionally healthy:

• Take a walk with a friend.
• Work in your garden or watch birds and animals in a nearby park.
• Attend worship services or meditation sessions.
• Write it down. Keeping a journal can be a great way to get things off your chest and work through issues.
• Try simple and beneficial relaxation methods.
• Attend a yoga or other fitness class geared to older adults.
  

Fan the flame — intimacy and aging

Age is no reason to limit your sexual enjoyment. Learn about physical changes that come with aging and get suggestions to help you adjust to them, if necessary.

Recognizing mental health problems

Like other illnesses, many mental health problems can be prevented, and those that do occur can be treated successfully.

If emotional challenges — such as depression — are interfering with your ability to manage your life, you have options for getting help. Grief and loneliness can cause depression and other emotional health problems. Our behavioral health experts can help you adjust to changing life circumstances and improve your outlook.

You will also find a variety of mental health classes and programs described in our health classes directory.

Learn more about mental health problems that can affect older adults as well as caregivers:

Abusive relationships (including elder abuse)
Alcohol and drug problems
Alzheimer's disease
Anxiety
Anger and hostility
Chronic pain
Dementia
Depression
Grief
Insomnia
Suicidal thoughts or threats

Reviewed by Tracy Lippard, MD, July 2019