Aging can be interesting. As you grow older, you deal with changes in your body, mind and spirit. Sound Cliche? Probably. However, you nor anyone else is truly prepared to age gracefully during a pandemic. How do you overcome the unknown and deal with these new anxiety and depression filled times? There is no magic answer or pill, but you can do your best with what you do know and what you can control.
6 Tips to Cope with Anxiety and Depression
Be Positive Each Day. As fear has been a driving factor these last few weeks, let’s try to wake up and find a positive or a moment of gratitude to start the day. For example, before you get out of bed think of one thing you are grateful for that day. It may be you are thankful for breath, water, air, a new day, sunshine. Whatever that item may be, focus on that moment of happiness. You will be astounded how taking a moment to be positive can make all the difference in your day!
Explore the Benefits of Telehealth. When you watch the news too much or listen to those around you, you can become scared, anxious or depressed. How do you get support? You are in the middle of a pandemic and seeing a counselor or therapist is very unlikely. You need to say hello to Telehealth. Telehealth gives you the opportunity to work with a therapist or counselor via electronic device such as a phone, tablet, or computer. Telehealth during the COVID-19 outbreak has helped many aging adults have an opportunity to work through depression or anxiety when they feel isolated or nervous about the unknown of the virus. It offers a unique opportunity to talk with a licensed clinician about why you are anxious or nervous or scared about during this pandemic. You can talk with someone from the privacy of your own home and get professional advice or counseling on how to handle your situation.
Continue Socialization. Yes the new term social distancing is among us, but that does not mean you do not talk to anyone. You need to find a way to interact with family and friends to gain a sense of acceptance and purpose. With all the media coverage on COVID-19 and social distancing, you can get very anxious and feel alone. Ultimately that can possibly lead to a downward slide in your physical, mental and spiritual health. What do you do? Create opportunities to talk with others on the phone or through your computer or tablet to have a chance to connect to others. Make time to take a walk and visit with others that are out and of course with social distancing for safety.
Find a New Routine. Do you feel out of control and a loss of connection to your daily routine? If so, you are completely normal. It is hard when your life gets out of control and you have no input into how or why. One way to counter the loss of control is to establish a new system, a new normal, and a new routine. Begin with what you can do. Get up and start your day with a positive vibe and do what seems normal. Get your breakfast, read the news or watch a little of the news, call a family member or friend. Try to establish a routine that works for you–now. Once you get in a groove of a new routine, you feel more in control and less anxious or depressed. Having some organization and structure to your day, helps you feel relaxed and in control. One precaution is if the paper or news is a part of your day, limit the amount you watch or read. It can get overwhelming and depressing at times.
Remember Diet and Exercise. The importance of diet and exercise, should be no surprise to you and especially now. With everyone in some form of quarantine, it feels isolating and stifling to say the least. You need to make sure you are eating things that help you ward off illness and build your immunity. What you put into your body can affect your physical and mental health. To keep you mood steady, think about foods that work for you and ones that are triggers to mood swings. Statistics show that a diet rich in fruit, vegetables, grains and fish are less likely to have mood swings and depression than those who have a diet rich in processed food or sugar.
Not only is diet essential to moderate and control, but you need to move. It is very easy to just sit and watch television or get lost in social media. However, those can be shut down to relax your mind or to free up time to move and exercise. One great piece of advice is take a stroll outside – if weather is permitting or if not, walk around your house or a room and do light cleaning to keep moving. You could plant a garden which also helps you grow your own food and gets you outside in the fresh air and moving.
Nature is Nurturing. Hello to fresh air and sunshine. It is important to get fresh air and enjoy nature for your mental health. Research has shown that spending more time outdoors reduces stress, anxiety and depression. This is especially applicable during this time. Spending time outside or listening to the sounds of nature has a soothing effect on you and helps the stressors in your brain to relax. A walk does not have to be long to be effective, but if you are feeling anxious or depressed, take a walk in the woods or even the city landscape to relax your mind.
In the end, a time of unknowns and a Coronavirus pandemic can cause feelings of anxiety and depression. You can do many things to navigate your mind to a healthier place or help someone who is struggling to get their nerves and mood in check. Need more help steering the road to aging gracefully? Contact Ann at Senior Living Options. She can help you or your aging loved one get settled in the next stages of life.
