The world can take many negative turns and make you feel like life is dull and what is the purpose, meaning, or value. That is the negative way society and some of the news and social channels can deliver daily events to you. Dull. Boring. And downright Negative. 

Aging is a journey and can be a positive one if you choose. How you may ask or you may wonder? Simply living a positive lifestyle can add years and value to your everyday living no matter your physical, mental, or socioeconomic circumstances. Most aging adults love to share their life experiences and stories, and if we listen, we can learn and help them gain more life purpose; therefore stay positive.

3 Methods to Promote Positivity with Your Aging Loved Ones

Staying Positive and Mindful Listening to Aging Loved Ones

When you visit mom or dad and engage in a positive and uplifting manner, you help add years to their life. There are many studies that show staying positive helps you get through any hurdle in life and makes you feel value. Think about your favorite visits with friends and family. When you smile, laugh and have a positive energy, it is contagious. You truly have many benefits from reduced stress to a more positive outlook on many levels. 

Keeping your Mind Engaged with Learning

Learning allows you to gain knowledge and knowledge helps you have power and comfort in relationships. Learning engages your mind in a positive way that shows you matter and you care about different subjects in life. When you engage the mind you allow yourself to develop and grow, which in turn brings a positive light to you and those around you. Many aging adults love sharing life experiences and knowledge from life learning. You should take time to listen and learn from their experiences and what they find interesting in life. You just might stumble across some fun, familiar topics you both like to learn more about. When you learn you feel value and positive about yourself and others. Life learning creates positive feelings about yourself and keeps your brain healthy and engaged too. 

Games are another way to learn and engage the mind. Games can help you keep your brain healthy and learn all at the same time. Nothing like a fun game with family and friends or even by yourself to feel positive and accomplished. 

Make Real Time to be Together

Whether you socialize with past colleagues, friends or family it is a great way to keep active and positive. Reflecting together or pursuing new adventures with others, can help you sustain life purpose and also feel good about yourself and what you can offer others and your community. You can take time to listen and engage on topics of why you feel grateful and share positive memories together. Making real time with aging loved ones is rewarding for you and them. 

At the end of the day staying positive can be challenging at times, but when you look at the glass half full, it is more rewarding for you mentally and physically as you age. Want to add years to your life, age with positivity! Need any more guidance on aging adults or how to help mom or dad with aging gracefully? Contact Ann at Senior Living Options and she will help guide you with your aging concerns. She has been working with aging adults over 16 years and has experience in the New York and Connecticut areas.

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.