Supporting Your Mental Health from Our Retirement Communities

Prioritizing your mental health for a more fulfilling retirement!

Managing your mental health should be a priority for everyone, but it seems as if most prefer to focus on our physical health. Maybe it’s because we can actually see the effects of eating well and exercising on our bodies. However, strong mental health really is where well-being begins! Without a good relationship with your mind, eating well and exercising might not be as beneficial as it could be! It’s really important to view our overall well-being with a holistic view and support both our bodies and our minds.

At Sunshine Retirement Living, we support our residents in a number of ways, including offering classes for physical and mental exercise, supporting bodies with delicious meals, and ensuring access to wonderful health professionals. If you’d like to start implementing some strategies for better mental health on your own, you’re in luck! We’ve compiled a list of several of our top tips below. Read on to find out more!

Sleep

One of the best and easiest ways to support your mental health is through implementing a solid sleep routine. This means sticking to a firm bedtime and wake-up time in the morning to ensure your circadian rhythm is supported and you receive the best amount of sleep for your body. Most people should average 7-9 hours of sleep per night. It’s important to ensure your bedroom is a true sanctuary for sleep. This means not taking work into the bedroom, creating a comfortable and calming space, and maybe even leaving your phone out of the bedroom. Your room should be at a comfortable temperature, and free from excess noise, light, or distractions. This might mean clearing your room of clutter each night, investing in blackout shades or a sound machine, or even setting a specific nighttime temperature to optimize sleep. Deep sleep is important for your mental health as it can alleviate grogginess, help you regulate your emotions, and even balance your hormones – all of which are extremely beneficial for your mental health!

Meditate

The benefits of meditation include reduced anxiety, better focus and concentration, better coping skills, increased compassion, and the list goes on. It is super easy to implement in your daily life, due to amazing apps like Headspace and Calm to in-person group meditations. Sitting for ten minutes and concentrating on your breathing, meditation is something everyone can, and should, do! If you’re new to meditation, we suggest starting with a simple breathing exercise to help your concentration. If concentrating on your breath is too tough, we also suggest easing into a meditation practice by simply taking in your surroundings and focusing your energy on one thing at a time. Watch a flower bloom, close your eyes and listen to birdsong, transport yourself with the sense of smell, and try some aromatherapy to kickstart your meditation practice. Check out this article by MindWorks for some really great solutions!

Gratitude

One incredible way of improving your mental health is through implementing a gratitude practice. Gratitude is the practice of noticing things you are grateful for and acknowledging them. It allows you to create a positive mindset, and focus on the “now” rather than ruminate over the past or worry about the future. From journaling to giving kudos to those around you to even savoring your food as you nourish your body, there are so many ways to start a gratitude practice. Give yourself the gift of appreciating life’s little things and we’re sure your mental health will feel its effects.

Therapy

One of the most common ways people choose to take care of their mental health is through working with a therapist. Participating in talk therapy is an excellent way to work through some of our most difficult life challenges, yes, but it’s also a wonderful way to maintain our mental health. Having a trusted resource that listens, helps you see things from a multitude of perspectives, and gives advice or mental exercises to work on outside of sessions is hugely beneficial for maintaining your mental health.

If you are interested in learning more about Sunshine Retirement Living, and our amazing residences, please give our friendly team a call today!