Wellness Tips
Each month we share some tips to empower you to keep healthy!
These tips can be found at: https://psychiatry.ucsf.edu/copingresources/olderadults
Tips for older adults
Maintain a daily routine. Structure for the day is very important. Get up at the same time, get out of bed, get dressed, and face the day.
Start your day
Start your day with a few stretches, yoga, or meditation. Mindfulness practice has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety and has a series of beneficial health effects, including improving cognitive functioning in older adults. Eat breakfast. The first meal of the day is important. It is also a chance to sit down and check in with your family, or if you live alone, to take an inventory of your physical and emotional state that day.
Find a time to exercise
Regular exercise for at least 15-20 minutes a day is very important. A good way to make sure you do it is to call or text someone after you exercise to let them know you have done it. Choose a “virtual buddy” today.
If you own a stationary bike or treadmill, now is the time to dust these off.
If you have had physical therapy for an injury or other medical condition, you may still use the exercises the therapist prescribed.
If you have a pet who needs to be walked, you can still go out even during the “shelter in place” order. This will help you both!
Stay connected
Researchers have shown that loneliness and social isolation increase older adults’ risk of adverse health effects, depression, and even cognitive problems. Your doctors have been advocating the benefits of social activities and getting out of the house to socialize.
Using Facetime, Skype, or other video chat tools (or a phone call if video is not an option), set aside a regular time to check in with your family or friends if you weren’t already doing so.
You can convert club or group meetings to video conference or phone conference calls. This is just as good as being in the same room. For example, book clubs, knitting or other craft clubs, woodwork classes, etc. can all be done online, using the camera on your phone, laptop, or tablet.
Do not let your preconceived notions of “I’m not good with technology” or “Technology is for younger people” deter you. That is not true! You can definitely learn a new skill at any age, and it is good for your brain to learn new things. Ask a friend or family member for help, or use tutorials you find online to learn how to do video conferences. For example, a group of older adults learned how to use Zoom and practice meditation together. They thought they couldn’t do it, yet they managed and felt a sense of accomplishment when they did (plus, they didn’t miss their mindfulness class).
If you have a medical illness, you may already be a part of a social media group focused on that disease. This is an important social support strategy as the group may have lots of good advice for you. On the other hand, it is important to not focus exclusively on your medical illness, overshadowing other important things that can help you stay active and well at this time.