Mental illness can affect individuals of any age, including older adults. Common mental illnesses include depression and anxiety. Depression and anxiety may stem from a stressful working environment or from loneliness or social isolation. These mental health issues affect physical health, emotional and social well-being, and overall quality of life. Supporting mental health is a critical consideration to the healthy aging process. The good news is, in addition to the treatments recommended by your doctor, the following self-care strategies may help:
1. Stay active - Exercise can help to reduce the symptoms of depression
2. Practice mindfulness - Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy helps to prevent relapses among people with recurring depression
3. Share memories - Reminiscing in groups led by a trained program facilitator can help reduce feelings of loneliness and depression
4. Companion animals and animal-assisted therapies - Companion animals and animal-assisted therapies can improve the physical and mental health of older adults, and animal-assisted therapies appear promising to alleviate loneliness among older adults
5. Participate in the community - Community activities such as volunteering promote a sense of accomplishment, breaks isolation, improves physical and psychological health, and reduces some of the negative stereotypes associated with aging
