Emotional Wellness Activities for Seniors in Denton, TX
According to an AARP Research study, self-reported happiness grows with age. About 34% of American adults aged 80 and over and 27% in their 70s are "very happy." Meanwhile, 21% aged 60 to 69 and 18% aged 50 to 59 are happy.
You may feel happier by focusing on relationships, your independence, and improving your quality of life. If you're looking for emotional wellness activities for seniors in Denton, TX, we can help! Read on for healthy aging activities that can benefit your mood and longevity!
Emotional Support for Seniors
According to the National Institute on Aging, social isolation and loneliness are linked to:
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- A weakened immune system
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Obesity
- Alzheimer's disease
- Cognitive decline
- Death
Meanwhile, engaging in meaningful activities can improve your mood and give you a sense of purpose. It may help improve your cognitive function and extend your longevity.
Seeking emotional support for seniors can benefit your mood and overall happiness. This could enhance your overall quality of life. Here are some tips to help you find support in Denton.
Build a Community
Stay connected with friends and family members. Remember, social isolation can negatively impact your emotional and physical health. You can stay socially connected by:
- Exploring new hobbies and activities together
- Participating in exercise groups or classes
- Volunteering
- Continuing your education
- Extending social invitations
Friendly interactions can decrease feelings of depression. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 4% of adults aged 70 and older have depression. Socializing can boost your mood and mental health, reducing your risk of depression.
Fostering social connections can also reduce your risk of dementia. According to this study, higher rates of incident dementia were associated with:
- Lower social participation
- Less frequent social contract
- Loneliness
The next time you feel lonely, invite your friends over for lunch. You can enjoy a healthy, chef-prepared meal at your senior living community. Maintaining these friendships can foster a strong sense of purpose and belonging.
As you build lasting bonds, you could experience a boost in self-esteem and happiness. This can encourage other positive behaviors, extending your longevity and quality of life.
Join a Support Group
Joining a support group will give you opportunities to:
- Learn from other experiences
- Share personal stories
- Gather helpful resources from others
- Talk about your concerns and feelings
- Process your thoughts and emotions
The group may provide you with emotional support.You can connect with other people who understand what you're thinking and feeling.
Other potential benefits of joining a support group include:
- Gaining a sense of control and hope
- Feeling empowered
- Feeling less alone, judged, or lonely
- Easing stress, depression, or anxiety
- Gaining coping skills
- Getting practice feedback
- Gaining helpful resources
- Talking openly and honestly without fear of judgment
- Staying motivated during difficult moments
You can find support groups and other helpful resources through your senior living community. Consider joining a group specific to your concerns (such as a health condition, grief, etc.).
Journal
Journaling can help you explore and regulate your emotions. Making this part of your routine can help you navigate stressful situations. Other benefits of journaling include:
- Preserve memories
- Improve recall
- Manage stress and anxiety
- Break a cycle of obsessive thinking
- List and achieve goals
- Improve self-awareness
- Improve your mood
- Lower your blood pressure
Dedicate a set time to writing in your journal each day. Don't worry about spelling or punctuation. Instead, express your thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment.
Healthy Aging Activities
Prioritizing your physical health can benefit your emotional health. Here are some healthy aging activities you can enjoy in Denton.
Exercise
Exercising can benefit your emotional and mental health by reducing feelings of anxiety and depression.You'll experience a boost of serotonin, which can improve your mood and self-esteem.
Exercising can further enhance your health by:
- Distracting you from negative thoughts
- Reducing stress
- Helping you sleep
- Improving your sense of control
- Encouraging you to socialize
- Increasing energy levels
- Reducing muscle tension
- Offering an outlet for frustrations
Explore your Dogwood Estates wellness program to find fun fitness classes. Remember to ask your friends to join you.
Meditate
Meditating can help you focus and relax. It may improve your self-awareness while easing stress and anxiety.
Other potential health benefits of meditation include:
- Reduced pain
- Strengthened immune system
- Enhanced strength
- Improved flexibility and balance
- Improved mood
- Reduced risk of depression
- Improved sleep
- Increased attention span
- Lower blood pressure
- Mindfulness
You can discover meditation classes through your senior living community's wellness program. Otherwise, try using an app for guided sessions.
Denton Senior Wellness Events
Your senior living community can offer Denton senior wellness events that can benefit your mood. Here are a few activities to explore.
Play Games
Puzzles and board games can stimulate your brain's prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. This may enhance your memory and reduce symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.
You can find more healthy aging activities through your senior living community's events and activities calendar. Ask your friends to join!
Read
Dedicate time to reading a little each day. Reading can:
- Improve your vocabulary and communication skills
- Increase longevity
- Reduce stress
- Improve sleep
- Improve memory
- Increase empathy
Learn New Skills
Developing new skills can encourage the formation of new neural pathways. Consider:
- Continuing your education
- Learning how to play an instrument
- Learning a new language
- Earning an artisan certification or degree
You can find more learning opportunities through senior wellness programs in Denton.
Discover New Hobbies
Add a new source of joy to your life by picking up a hobby. These can include:
- Hiking
- Swimming
- Birdwatching
- Painting or drawing
- Knitting or crocheting
- Cooking
- Volunteering
Explore Emotional Wellness Activities
Prioritizing your emotional and physical health can improve your overall well-being and longevity. Consider exploring these emotional wellness activities while living in Denton, TX. Remember, you can find more helpful resources through your local senior living community.
Our team at Dogwood Estates Senior Living can help you live a vibrant, worry-free life! Our community offers Independent Living with Supportive Services, allowing you to maintain your independence.
Discover our exclusive lifestyle programs, including chef-prepared meals, an exciting calendar of activities, and wellness classes. Contact us now to schedule your tour.