By Nicole Long, CEO of Old Colony Elder Services (OCES)
May is an important month dedicated to raising awareness about mental health. It provides an opportunity to foster a deeper understanding of mental health concerns and promote the availability of mental health services within our communities.
Times have changed. Mental health and self-care (caring for your own well-being) are now front and center on a national level. This is a good thing. However, it is important to continue the conversation and outreach on a local level to ensure that everyone has access to behavioral health services and support.
Dealing with stress, change, or challenging situations can be tough for anyone. Older adults who are confined to their homes due to disease or disability, or who may not have family and friends nearby, may face even greater difficulties. Not enough social contact or being isolated can lead to high stress levels and evoke emotions of sadness or loneliness.
Caring for Your Own Well-Being
Although it is impossible to completely avoid stress, caring for your own well-being and having a self-care routine can help you cope. Self-care is about understanding your own needs and taking steps to stay physically, mentally, and emotionally well.
Here are a few ways to practice self-care every day:
- Adopt a diet that is well-balanced and rich in various fruits and vegetables. Be sure to limit sweets.
- Exercise regularly. Exercise not only keeps you physically healthy, but it also improves your mental health since it causes your body to release chemicals that can improve your mood.
- Try to get approximately eight hours of sleep a night. Going to bed and getting up at the same time every day will help you develop healthy sleeping habits.
- Take part in an activity or find a project that you enjoy and look forward to doing.
It’s also important to keep up with your medical care. Avoid delaying appointments with your physician or other medical professionals.
Reach Out for Support
Grief, loss, and other mental health challenges are all part of life. If you are feeling sad, anxious, or not like yourself, it’s important to reach out. Talk with your healthcare provider or another trusted individual about how you are feeling.
Remember that mental health support is available to you if you need it. Visit https://ocesma.org/programs-services/behavioral-health for more about programs available through Old Colony Elder Services or samhsa.gov/resources-serving-older-adults for additional resources.
Community Voices for Health 