Mental Health Is Important!

We all know the importance of getting physical exercise on a regular basis, but how often do you think about exercising your brain? Keeping your mind healthy can help you avoid dementia, depression and other illnesses, but what are some of the ways that you can exercise your brain to keep healthy and happy? In this month’s blog we list five tips that you can recommend to your patients to help them maintain good mental health.

5 Ways to Improve Mental Health

1. Keep moving. Good physical exercise is beneficial to the mind and muscles. According to the Journal of Medical Directors even dance keep the mind and body healthy. An hour of dance can reduce depression symptoms by 60%.
2. Stay Social. Catching a friend for coffee or getting your nails done together is a great way to socialize and enjoy mental stimulation. Not only does it spark mental alertness, but it also gives you a sense of belonging and purpose. Socializing can decrease your susceptibility to dementia.
3. Be Involved with Family. Spending time with children or grandchildren is sometimes all you need to feel included and engaged with people. Everyone wants a sense of belonging and being needed, so staying active with family is a great way to visit and accomplish good mental health.
4. Learn Something New. Did you always want to take that history of art class? Or how about a class that teaches you how to play piano? It is never too late to challenge your brain and learn something new. It is not only invigorating but it can be social as well.
5. Volunteer. Now that you have more time, volunteer for an organization that you are passionate about. Nothing is more rewarding and mentally healthy than giving to others. You can do your volunteering nationally or locally. Sometimes your time is more valuable to another person that anything.

May is official Mental Health Awareness Month, but keeping our brains sharp is something that needs to be considered every single day. Please visit Senior Living Options for more tips on how to stay mentally healthy as you age!

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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.