The term “self-care” was coined decades ago, but it has only been widely used now as people become more emotionally intelligent and open. You probably already heard it countless times on tv, social media, and from your Millennial kids and grandkids.
Mainstream media often depicted self-care as caring for oneself through therapy, workout regimens, diet plans, meditation, and pamper time in the salon. But these are only a quarter of what self-care truly is.
What is Self-Care, and Why Is It Important?
According to the WHO, self-care refers to preserving and promoting one’s overall health through disease prevention. It is when a person takes action to tend to their physical, mental, and emotional needs. Everyone can definitely benefit from self-care practices, especially seniors like you, who have been going through a lot since the pandemic started.
Some of the vital benefits you can get by practicing self-care in your Palm Springs senior living include:
- Improvement in your mental well-being and cognitive function.
- Ability to cope well with the daily stressors in life.
- It reduces stress and anxiety.
- It boosts your self-esteem and self-confidence.
- It helps turn your life perspective and outlook into a positive one.
- Strengthens your physical health.
- Protects your health from developing different diseases.
- Allows the development of better relationships and social connections.
In turn, all of these positive attributes that you get to gain will eventually stack up to help you live a longer and healthier life.
6 Self-Care Practices for Seniors
Basically, self-care is all about looking after your physical, mental, and emotional welfare. Since everyone has different needs, self-care can look different for each person. Some can achieve it by getting their nails done at the salon or just taking a day off to have “me” time.
Anything that makes you feel relaxed, happy, and a better person can already be considered as self-care. But if you don’t know where to start, we have a few simple ideas for you that won’t break your savings.
1. Spend Time with Loved Ones
It’s easy to get overwhelmed with stress and anxiety if you have no shoulder to rely on. In fact, several studies suggest that older adults who are socially isolated have higher risks of experiencing chronic stress that often leads to a mental condition, such as depression.
One way to avoid being lonely and disconnected is by fostering social relationships with friends and loved ones. Stay connected with them, especially now that we’re under a global pandemic. Some great ways to do that include:
- Regularly calling your loved ones using a phone or through digital means.
- Join peer groups and social clubs in your Palm Springs senior living.
- Make an effort to know your neighbors and fellow residents.
- Invite friends and family to your home or senior community.
Strengthening your social connections allows you to build a strong support group for yourself. Plus, you’d get to have an emotional support human that would stay with you during the good and bad times.
2. Get a Good Night’s Rest
Sleep is one of the most important healthy habits that you should practice. It is a great way to take good care of your physical and mental well-being. Not only does it allow your body to stay healthy and energized, but it also keeps the mind sharp, active, and ready to battle the next day.
So, stick to a regular sleeping schedule so you can achieve eight to nine hours of slumber. You can also create a relaxing atmosphere before bedtime to help you sleep soundly at night.
3. Practice Meditation
Meditation is a great self-care practice as it has TONS of benefits to your overall health. Plus, it is sustainable, easy to do anywhere, and has plenty of techniques to suit your preferences. There’s mindfulness, yoga, tai chi, movement, mantra, and even deep breathing, which you can do anytime and anywhere.
Besides relieving your stress, meditation also promotes quality time with yourself. It helps you reconnect with yourself, cope with your problems, and bring things into a positive perspective.
Furthermore, a quality “me” time allows further self-discovery, which improves your happiness and satisfaction in life.
4. Do a Favorite Hobby or Activity
Any activity that you ENJOY doing and allows you to have fun is self-care on its own. So whether it’s binge-watching your favorite series or just taking a nice, hot bath, if it makes you happy, then you have to go for it!
Pry yourself away from your busy schedule and make time to do things that you actually love. Consciously be in an environment that sparks joy and happiness from you, may it be your garden or with your favorite books.
If you are still trying to figure out what hobby makes you happy, you can start with activities where you excel. Other pursuits that allow you to relax and de-stress include:
- Arts and crafts, like painting and sculpting.
- Reading and writing
- Gardening
- Cooking
- Volunteering and charity work.
- Fitness activities
5. Eat Healthily
Another self-care practice that you can easily implement in your daily life is to eat healthily. This is because proper nutrition dramatically affects your overall health and mental state. Moreover, good food can fuel you each day, readying you for any challenges ahead.
But rather than restricting your diet, why not nourish it with a variety of healthy foods instead? Take an active role in caring for yourself by consciously eating the right foods, in the right amount, at the right time.
You can also add regular exercise into your healthy diet routine for good measure. For example, just a little bit of stretching or walking around your Palm Springs senior living community will do.
6. Engage in Religious Activities
According to a recent study, seniors improved their mental wellness as they participated in religious groups and connected more with their faith.
Furthermore, praying and building a positive relationship with a higher being can help clear your mind and focus on what’s essential in life. It is much like meditation, except here, you get to experience a spiritual awakening together with self-care.
