After the holiday celebrations, it is common for many aging adults to be depressed, lonely or lost. How do you help aging parents navigate the post-holiday blues when the weather is gloomy too? Now is the time to jump into a positivity mindset and make the new year a fresh beginning to better living and longer living too.

5 Small changes to Make a Positive Impact on Your Life

Start with a Positive Mindset

The best way to start your new year off on a good foot is to believe that you can. With a positive mind and attitude, you can do anything you set your mind to. Research shares that stereotypes of aging adults makes older adults feel inferior and not capable of doing more challenging tasks. However, skip the stereotypes and jump into a mindset of “You Can Do It.” Nothing better than starting a new year with a great attitude to achieve things on your bucket list or activities you want to pursue.

Engage Your Mind

Learning is always good. What better way to ward off dementia and depression than to learn a new skill or read a new book with a group of friends. Why not learn a musical instrument? It is never too late to learn something new and share with peers is even better. 

Interact with the Youth

Grandkids, nieces, nephews or neighbors that are younger can be one of the best resources to learn and ignite some fire in your life. You gain a better immunity, keep your mind active and maybe engage in some new games that keep you physically and mentally active too. You also help the younger ones learn from your life experience. It is truly fun to mingle with the youth and enjoy sharing life experiences to help each other.

Move a Little Every Day

Positivity and happiness comes with daily movement. Period. You need to move to keep your body and mind active. Start slow and easy if you need to. It is amazing how 10 minutes a day can lead to 15 or 20 minutes with dedication to moving. Moving leads to positivity and happiness which ultimately leads to a better life. A purposeful life.

Jump Into New Activities

When you try something new, you create a positive mindset and confidence. It is so fun to do something whether you are good or bad at it, who cares. You delved into something unknown and new. If you want to travel across the country with friends, do it. The time is now to put some of your fear aside and embark on something new and engaging and love it! The reward is worth it. 
If you would like more guidance on aging and keeping life purpose with aging, contact Ann Jamison at Senior Living Options. She is experienced with aging adults and how to find the best living arrangements for your parents at each chapter of the aging process.

Author: Ann Jamison

Ann Jamison is an experienced senior advisor who has successfully worked with hundreds of families to help them find the best care and home-like environment for themselves or their loved ones. Prior to launching Senior Living Options, Ann was an eldercare advisor for a national placement agency and served as sales director at a senior living community. Thanks to her 25-year career in advertising sales and marketing, Ann is able to discern between hype and reality for her clients. Ann recognizes that there are objective factors that need to be weighed when making a life-changing decision, but she can also assess the important softer attributes by getting to know her clients and by using the gut instincts that can only come through extended experience.