Emotional wellness is a critical part of overall well-being, but what exactly is emotional wellness? In an article published by the University of North Dakota School of Medicine & Health Sciences, it is defined as “…understanding and managing one’s emotions, maintaining healthy relationships, and coping effectively with life’s challenges. It also involves developing healthy coping mechanisms for stress…and maintaining a positive outlook on life.” Emotional wellness is connected to overall health and well-being, and maintaining emotional health is a lifelong journey.

Why is Emotional Wellness So Important for Older Adults?

Emphasis is often placed on physical wellness, but emotional wellness is just as important. In fact, the two are tied together and impact one another. Emotional wellness is important for everyone, but for seniors who are going through many life transitions, it can be especially important.

As we grow older, there are many changes that occur in our lives that can impact emotional wellness. Retirement, while often a welcome milestone, may bring a sense of lost purpose or identity after years of meaningful work. Health challenges and mobility issues may lead to loss of independence and feelings of isolation. It is important for seniors to find purpose and meaning in life, to build a support system and maintain meaningful social connections that foster emotional wellness and overall health and well-being.

According to an article published by the CDC, the benefits of emotional wellness include:

• Lower risk of disease, sickness and injury

• Faster recovery after illness or injury

• Having a sense of contentment, meaning and purpose in life

• Stronger relationships and a higher sense of self-esteem

• The ability to bounce back from negative experiences

  
  

How Can Seniors Improve and Maintain Emotional Wellness?

Emotional wellness can have a major impact on the quality of life and overall well-being of seniors. It can impact seniors’ ability to cope with change, maintain relationships and find meaning in life. According to an article in Catalyst CT, these are five ways seniors can foster emotional wellness:

Stay connected. Community and a sense of belonging can go a long way in helping us feel less alone and supported through life's emotional ups and downs. Friends and family give us a feeling of purpose and belonging and are cornerstones to emotional wellbeing and a fulfilling life.

Keep your brain active. Connecting with other people through social activities can keep your brain active and help you feel less isolated and more engaged with the world around you. Participating in social activities may lower the risk of some health problems and improve well-being and cognitive function. Taking classes, learning a new skill, or finding new hobbies can also help seniors create a sense of purpose and accomplishment.

Stay as physically active as possible. Being physically active can help improve your strength, give you more energy, improve balance, prevent or delay heart disease and diabetes, reduce stress and help with emotional regulation. Some research indicates that exercise might help prevent neuron loss in key areas of the hippocampus, a part of the brain involved in memory and other functions.

Maintain good sleep habits. Sleep significantly affects our physical and emotional health. Studies have shown that insufficient sleep and sleeping longer than average can increase your likelihood of developing dementia. Poor sleep quality can also decrease our immunity, making it hard for our bodies to fight off infections. Improper sleep can also impact our mood and lead to irritation or anger or make you more vulnerable to stress.

Emotional Wellness is a Top Priority at Touchstone Communities

At Touchstone Communities, we are committed to Making Lives Better for our residents by supporting their physical, mental and emotional well-being. We offer exercise classes to help our residents stay physically active, social activities to foster engagement and connection, and opportunities for lifelong learning that build a sense of accomplishment and purpose. Contact us to learn more.